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In a shocking development, there is news that Team India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the India vs Afghanistan ODI series.
Earlier it was believed that Pandya would return to the field in the colors of the national team after proving his fitness at the BCCI Center of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. However, those reports proved to be wrong as Hardik Pandya is no longer a part of the 3-match ODI competition.
Why has Hardik Pandya been ruled out of Afghanistan vs ODI?
The seam-bowling all-rounder had been battling back spasms since the mid-stage of the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) season with Mumbai Indians. He went to the COE due to the back spasm problem he suffered during IPL 2026. But, as per the Times of India report, Pandya has been worried about a fresh injury, which is forcing him to stay out of action.
According to reports, Pandya was performing well at the Center of Excellence and was all set to join the ODI squad in Dharamshala for the ODI series against Afghanistan. Just when everything was looking in favor of a comeback, a leg sprain turned out to be a major setback for Hardik Pandya.
“It’s been a very late setback. He has a slight sprain in his leg, which is causing some pain. It’s not a long-term thing, but the medical staff has advised him to avoid any strain or weight lifting for the next few days. Hardik will be in Bengaluru, consulting with the COE physio and trainers during his recovery phase,” a BCCI source told the media house on June 10.
Who will be Pandya’s replacement?
The team management has also been informed about the 32-year-old all-rounder’s latest injury. Now it will be interesting to see whether the team management announces any replacement for injured Hardik Pandya or not.
Some players are expected to leave for Dharamshala before leaving for Dharamshala. Will join the team in Mohali on Wednesday and can also participate in the optional training camp.
Virat Kohli is also out of IND vs AFG ODI
This is the second big blow for Men in Blue, because before Pandya, Virat Kohli was also out of the series due to injury. Kohli is now battling a hamstring problem, which he suffered during the IPL 2026 Championship match when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were against Gujarat Titans. In the case of Virat Kohli, the recovery process may take a few weeks.
Another star of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma remains in the circle of uncertainty. The final report is yet to come regarding his possibility of playing in the India vs Afghanistan ODI series. Like Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma also faced fitness issues during the IPL 2026 season.
Sharma, who has a history of hamstring injuries, got a fresh lease of life during the league. However, he returned to the field before the conclusion of the tournament to play as an impressive batsman. To take part in the ODI against Afghanistan, the opening batsman will have to prove his fitness.
