Hardik Pandya Return Date Confirmed! Report Suggests All-Rounder Needs No Surgery For Recovery

Hardik Pandya News: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to make his comeback in India's white-ball series against South Africa in November and December as per a report. Pandya has been away from international Cricket after he ruled out of the Asia Cup final 2025 in September. The report in the Times of India (TOI) stated that Pandya will get fit in time for the South Africa series and is expected to complete his rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE).

The report also suggested that the 32-year-old is not expected to undergo any form of surgery for the quadriceps injury which he sustained before the Asia Cup final.

The Proteas Men's side, who are in Pakistan at the moment for 2 Tests, 3 ODIs and as many T20Is, will travel to India next month and play two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is against the Indian team.

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The report also stated that he took a break from his rehab at the Centre of Excellence due to Diwali. However, the all-rounder resumed his training on Wednesday again.

As per TOI, “The timeline of his return was chalked out by the medical team last week, and the initial assessment didn’t raise any major concerns."

Hardik Pandya is currently among the most experienced players in the white-ball side. He will be India's valuable asset in the series against South Africa. Before this series, India A and South Africa A sides will face off in two four-day matches.

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Rishabh Pant To Lead India A Against South Africa A

India-South Africa series schedule Rishabh Pant is set to make his competitive cricket comeback as captain of India A, leading the team against South Africa A in a four-day match on October 30 at BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

BCCI announced the India A squad on Tuesday.

Pant, recovering from a fractured foot sustained during the Manchester Test earlier this year, will be joined by vice-captain Sai Sudharsan.

India squad for first four-day match: Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagadeesan (wk), Sai Sudharsan (vice-capt), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

India squad for second four-day match: Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sai Sudharsan (vice-capt), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

Inputs from Agency