Hardik Pandya ruled out of India versus Afghanistan series after picking up new injury during rehab

Team India have been dealt another major setback ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, with star all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled out due to injury. The series, scheduled to begin on June 13 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, marks the start of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Pandya’s absence comes shortly after Virat Kohli was also ruled out, adding to the team’s concerns. According to recent reports, Pandya has sustained a quadriceps injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for around three weeks. The Mumbai Indians skipper had already endured an injury-hit IPL season, featuring in only 10 matches before missing the latter part of the tournament due to back spasms.

According to India Today, the all-rounder was recently undergoing fitness assessments at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to obtain clearance for the back spasm he suffered during the IPL. However, it is understood that the quadriceps injury may have occurred while he was bowling his full quota of overs during the evaluation process to prove his fitness.

According to a BCCI source who told the aforementioned source, Hardik requires a three-week recovery time and hence will be unable to recover in time for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. 

"With three weeks for recovery, there is absolutely no chance of him playing the ODI series as his rehabilitation will not be complete," a BCCI source shed light on Hardik’s recovery plan.

The Indian team is already plagued with injuries, with former Indian captain and experienced batter Virat Kohli already ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury. The seasoned campaigner sustained a hamstring injury during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 final against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. 

Left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal was named as Kohli’s replacement, with the BCCI yet to announce a replacement player for the Choryasi-born cricketer. Meanwhile, there are also question marks over Rohit Sharma’s fitness, and he is yet to be declared fit for the series against Afghanistan.

India's ODI squad

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey