India head coach Gautam Gambhir has provided an update on Hardik Pandya’s fitness, saying the all-rounder is currently not ready to bowl 10 overs in an ODI. Gambhir also made it clear that the team management does not want to rush Hardik back into international cricket after his limited game time over the last four months.
Pandya remains an important part of India’s limited-overs plans, but his recurring fitness issues have led the team to manage his workload carefully.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gambhir said there could be a possibility of playing both Pandya and young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the same XI once Pandya is fully fit to bowl.
“Hardik Pandya can’t bowl 10 overs at the moment. We don’t want to rush him into international cricket. When he is fit, there is a possibility of both he and Nitish playing,” Gambhir said.
Gambhir’s comments came after India defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs in the third T20I to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
The Indian team management appears keen to bring Pandya back as a genuine all-rounder, particularly with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball being important to India’s ODI combination.
Pandya was named in the India A squad for the one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry, subject to final fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
The all-rounder has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2026, having dealt with a series of injuries. He was initially selected for India’s ODI series against Afghanistan in June but suffered a leg injury before the series began.
Earlier, Pandya had missed four matches for Mumbai Indians due to back spasms. He was subsequently undergoing conditioning work at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence when he suffered another setback.
Pandya is expected to undergo a fitness test next week and could receive clearance. However, the selectors are taking a cautious approach, considering his importance to India’s balance in the 50-over format.