Major Blow! Will Hardik Pandya Only Play IPL Now? Big Update Surfaces on His Return and Missing 3 Series

Fitness of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has once again turned out to be a major cause of concern for Team India. Hardik Pandya has been continuously away from the cricket field ever since the conclusion of the last IPL season, and both Team India and fans are eagerly awaiting his return. Since the end of the IPL 2026 season, Hardik has been completely away from cricket action. He had sustained an injury during the IPL, due to which he couldn't play two or three matches, but ever since the season ended, he has been completely out of action. When he will make his comeback has proven to be a puzzle in itself, with continuous uncertainty surrounding it. According to the latest reports, Hardik may now be seen making his direct comeback only from the IPL 2027 season, delivering a massive blow to Indian cricket lovers.

Missing New Zealand Tour and Other Series

Hardik Pandya was recently not even included in the Indian T20 and ODI squads chosen for the New Zealand tour. For the past few months, he has been constantly undergoing rehabilitation and training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. During match simulation practice there last month in September, a stress injury in his calf flared up, due to which his hopes of a return were delayed once again and he had to restart his rehabilitation from scratch. This latest injury has dealt a severe blow to his fitness progression.

Unable to Play These Three Major Series and Tournaments

A report has made a major revelation that within the next three weeks, Hardik Pandya will start very light running, after which the running load will be gradually increased, and only then will cricket practice eventually begin, while due to this entire process, his participation in the ODI and T20 series against Sri Lanka in December and January, followed by the ODI series against Zimbabwe in January 2027, now appears completely impossible and unlikely. Not only this, but he will also not be available for any domestic white ball tournaments, raising a big question mark over his match practice.

Three Major Stumbling Blocks in Comeback

To remind you, ever since the conclusion of IPL 2026, Hardik Pandya's comeback to Team India has been delayed on at least three different occasions. What is astonishing is that on all three occasions, he suffered a recurrence of the injury during the rehabilitation process itself, while on two of these occasions, he was even selected in the Indian team, but due to the injury flaring up, he had to withdraw his name. This recurring injury problem has given sleepless nights to selectors and team management.

Crisis Looms Over World Cup 2027 Plans

Following all these events, the biggest question being raised across the country and in cricketing corridors is whether Hardik Pandya will remain fully fit only for a two-month IPL season. If this continues and he's only able to play the IPL, how will the planning and strategies of the Indian team be formulated for the upcoming 2027 World Cup? Can Team India rely for long on a player who consistently misses international tours and series due to injuries, while answers to all these questions will only be found in the future, but for now, Hardik Pandya staying away from cricket is certainly a major setback for the balance of the Indian team.