India head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming West Indies series as he continues rehabilitation for a quadriceps injury sustained during IPL 2026.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir issued a key update on Hardik Pandya after the latter was left out of India’s squad for the West Indies series.
Hardik sustained a quadriceps injury during IPL 2026 and has been out of action since then. He is currently undergoing rehab at the BCCI COE in Bengaluru and is fully focused on making a full-tilt comeback.
While there was immense anticipation over his comeback, Hardik was not named in India’s squad for the West Indies series.
‘Pandya cannot bowl 10 overs’
Following India’s series win over Afghanistan on Thursday, Gambhir said all-rounder Hardik cannot bowl in full capacity and does not intend to rush him back into international cricket.
Gambhir added that once Hardik is fit to return, there are chances that he and Nitish Kumar Reddy could play together.
“Hardik Pandya cannot 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.
Gambhirโs remarks suggest that Hardik Pandya will only return if he can contribute fully as an allโrounder, with the management planning to utilise him primarily in the oneโday format in preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
More from FirstcricketReddy steps in to fill Hardik’s voidย
While Hardik was omitted from the West Indies series, he has been named in the India A squad for the one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry. But he is pending final fitness clearance from the BCCI COE.
In Hardik’s absence, Reddy stepped up to the role with utmost flair and finesse, delivering an impressive 3/25 in his four-over spell in the third and final T20I match against Afghanistan in New Delhi.
India’s next big assignments would be defending their Asian Games title and then the West Indies tour of India, starting Sunday, September 27, 2026.