Hardik set to miss Australia A one-dayers after fresh injury

Hardik Pandya's return to competitive cricket has been delayed once again after the India allrounder suffered a fresh shin injury that is expected to rule him out of the upcoming 50-over series against Australia A. Hardik has been advised to take complete rest for 15 days after experiencing renewed pain in his shin. He will undergo another assessment after the rest period, putting his participation in the three-match India A series in serious doubt. Hardik's Comeback Delayed Again Hardik had been included in India's A squad for the one-day series against Australia A, which begins on October 6 in Puducherry, subject to fitness clearance. The series was expected to provide an important test of his ability to bowl a full quota of 10 overs in a 50-over match. His bowling fitness is particularly important ahead of India's five-match ODI series against New Zealand beginning November 4. However, Hardik has continued to experience discomfort while bowling and has not yet been able to complete the required workload. Shin Pain Returns During Fitness Tests Hardik's latest setback follows several months of rehabilitation. He has been away from competitive cricket since late May, after suffering back spasms during the IPL. He later picked up a leg strain while undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Hardik also experienced shin pain closer to India's ODI series against Afghanistan in June. Scans showed a tibia-related issue, after which he was advised to rest for around a week. He returned for his first fitness test on September 17 and bowled during the assessment, but did not complete the full 10-over requirement considered necessary by the CoE medical staff, Indian team management and selectors. During his second fitness test on September 19, the shin pain returned. A subsequent scan this week resulted in the latest recommendation of two weeks of complete rest, followed by another assessment. India Need Hardik to Build Bowling Fitness Hardik's ability to contribute as a genuine allrounder remains important to India's plans, particularly because of the balance he provides when he is fit enough to bowl regularly. He has not played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final in March last year. Continued fitness problems have also limited his preparation ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be held in October and November. The absence of regular 50-over cricket means India have been keen for Hardik to get sufficient game time before the World Cup. Gambhir Stresses Importance of Game Time India head coach Gautam Gambhir recently highlighted the importance of Hardik getting enough competitive cricket before the World Cup. Gambhir said Hardik and Jasprit Bumrah were extremely important to India's World Cup plans, while also pointing out that Hardik would need substantial game time after his extended absence. He stressed that moving from T20 cricket into one-day cricket could help Hardik build up his workload and rhythm before the World Cup. The Australia A series was therefore expected to be an important opportunity for Hardik to test his fitness in a competitive 50-over environment. New Zealand Series Now a Key Target With the Australia A one-dayers now likely to be missed, Hardik's next major target could be India's ODI series against New Zealand. The five-match series begins on November 4 and would give him a limited window to regain match fitness before India's longer-term World Cup preparations intensify. For now, however, the priority will be recovery. Hardik will spend the next two weeks resting before undergoing another assessment to determine when he can resume bowling and competitive cricket. The latest injury is another setback for an allrounder whose return has already been repeatedly interrupted, leaving India waiting for a sustained period of fitness and game time from one of their key limited-overs players.