Major update on Hardik Pandya’s return to competitive cricket from injury
Let's take a look at the major fitness update of the two veteran players, Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer, from injury to competitive cricket ahead of their home series against South Africa and New Zealand.
India’s premier all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, suffered a left quadriceps injury during the T20 Asia Cup 2025 and was out of the final against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The veteran also couldn’t feature in the three-match ODI series and the five-match T20I series against Australia down under. However, he is in line to make his return in December.
Returning from the Australia trip, India will face South Africa in the two-match Test series at home, starting from November 14, after which, both sides will lock horns for the three-match ODI series starting on November 30 in Ranchi before shifting the focus to five T20Is at the beginning of December in Cuttack. This could open the door for Pandya’s return to competitive cricket.
“After a holiday break, Hardik reported to the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Nov 21. He will be at the CoE for a month. He has started his gym sessions and should be back in action during the white-ball series against South Africa at some point.” The BCCI source, as quoted by the Times of India (TOI).
Hardik Pandya anticipated to return in home white-ball series against South Africa
Pandya’s return for the national side will be vital, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. His presence will be massive to balance the side. If the veteran stays in the eleven, then the management can go with their two premier pacers- Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, besides keeping their spin trio of Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Apart from Pandya, Shreyas Iyer is likely to be out of action for two months after suffering a ruptured spleen and rib cage injury during the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It remains to be seen if he will be able to return to competitive cricket for the 50-over series against New Zealand, beginning on January 11.
“I am currently in the recovery process and getting better each passing day. I’m deeply grateful for all the kind wishes and support I’ve received — it truly means a lot. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts,” Iyer posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
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