Hardik Pandya injury: 3 players who can replace him in the upcoming IND vs ENG ODI Series 2026

Hardik Pandya's injury concerns have become a major headache for Team India ahead of the England ODI series. The star all-rounder is reportedly set to miss another assignment after failing to recover fully from a quadriceps strain. He had already been ruled out of the Afghanistan ODI series after suffering the injury while undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The injury setback came shortly after Pandya had travelled to the CoE to receive clearance for a back spasm that troubled him during the IPL while playing for the Mumbai Indians. However, during his recovery process, he picked up a fresh quadriceps strain, delaying his return to competitive cricket.

According to reports, the injury has not healed enough for him to be considered for the upcoming England ODI series. The leg strain adds to a difficult season for Pandya, who missed four IPL matches and struggled to make an impact. He scored 206 runs in 10 innings and picked up only four wickets as the Mumbai Indians finished in the bottom half of the points table.

With doubts growing over Pandya's availability, BCCI may have to look at alternative options for the England ODI series. Throughout this article, we will look at three players who could replace the all-rounder and help fill the gap in the squad.

3. Shivam Dube

In third place is Shivam Dube, who stands out as another strong option to replace Hardik Pandya in the upcoming England ODI series. The left-handed all-rounder is known for his powerful hitting and has become a familiar name in India's white-ball setup. Dube was also part of India's back-to-back T20 World Cup-winning squads, giving him valuable experience at the highest level.

Apart from his batting, Dube can also contribute with the ball. His slower deliveries and ability to generate late movement could be useful in English conditions. While bowling is not his primary role, it gives the captain an extra option and adds balance to the playing XI.

Shivam Dube Career Batting & Fielding Stats

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Shivam Dube Career Bowling Stats

Dube also had a productive IPL 2026 season with the Chennai Super Kings. He scored 270 runs in 12 innings at an average of 38.57 and a strike rate of 158.82. His aggressive batting was on display throughout the tournament, as he smashed 24 fours and 15 sixes. Although he had limited opportunities with the ball, his all-round abilities make him a strong candidate to replace Pandya if India needs a like-for-like option in the squad.

2. Shardul Thakur

1. Krunal Pandya

In the first place, we have Krunal Pandya, who emerges as one of the strongest candidates to replace his brother Hardik Pandya in the upcoming England ODI series. With India looking for a dependable all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball, Krunal offers the ideal balance. His experience in pressure situations, combined with his ability to adapt to different match scenarios, makes him a reliable option for the national team.

While Krunal is primarily a left-arm orthodox spinner, he has evolved into a smart and versatile bowler in white-ball cricket. He relies on changes of pace, subtle variations, and accurate lines rather than turning alone. His ability to control the middle overs and build pressure on batters makes him a valuable asset. Along with his bowling, Krunal's aggressive lower-order batting adds further depth to the side.

Krunal Pandya Career Batting & Fielding Stats

Krunal Pandya Career Bowling Stats

Krunal Pandya IPL Career Batting Stats

Krunal Pandya IPL Bowling Stats

Fresh off another successful IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Krunal once again proved his value as an all-round performer. He scored 226 runs and picked up 14 wickets while playing a key role in RCB's title-winning campaign. His ability to contribute in both departments, combined with his experience and composure under pressure, makes him the leading candidate to replace Hardik Pandya and provide India with balance and flexibility in the ODI squad.

Notable Mentions

Apart from these three players, India also have several other options if the selectors decide to go with a specialist batter. Rajat Patidar is one of the strongest candidates after his outstanding IPL 2026 season. The RCB captain scored 501 runs in 15 matches at an average of 41.75 and an impressive strike rate of 192.69. His unbeaten 93 in Qualifier 1 showed his ability to handle pressure and dominate bowling attacks.

Several Indian batters also impressed during IPL 2026.  KL Rahul scored 593 runs while Devdutt Padikkal added 464 runs, and  Rinku Singh also enjoyed a solid campaign, scoring 295 runs in the middle order and playing several useful knocks for his team.

If India are looking for a bowling option, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar deserves consideration. The experienced fast bowler picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches during IPL 2026. He finished with an excellent average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95, while his best figures of 4/23 highlighted his ability to deliver breakthroughs in crucial situations.

Ultimately, squad selection is never easy when several players perform well in the IPL. While the selectors have backed a younger and more aggressive group for the England and Ireland series, players like Rajat Patidar, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and others can consider themselves unlucky to miss out. If they continue to perform consistently, they are likely to remain in contention for future opportunities with India.