India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a fresh injury setback during his recovery process.
Pandya had recently completed fitness assessments and training drills at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. He was initially cleared to return to action. However, a late development forced the 32-year-old to withdraw from the June series.
According to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pandya suffered a quadriceps strain and has been advised to rest and undergo rehabilitation for nearly two weeks.
“Hardik had initially passed all the necessary tests and was given the clearance. But a late setback has ruled him out of the Afghanistan series. He suffered a quadriceps strain and has been advised for close to two weeks,” a BCCI source told Hindustan Times Digital.
The source added that Pandya will continue his recovery at the CoE under the supervision of the sports science team.
His absence is a significant setback for India ahead of the ODI series. It is also unclear whether the selectors will announce a replacement for him. His availability for the ODI series against England in July remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, some members of the Indian ODI squad are expected to join the team in Mohali before travelling to Dharamsala for the Afghanistan series. Rohit Sharma has been cleared to play, while Virat Kohli has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Yashasvi Jaiswal has already been named as Kohli’s replacement.
Pandya reported to the CoE on June 2 to obtain fitness clearance. Earlier this year, he suffered back spasms during the IPL 2026 season, which forced him to miss several matches for the Mumbai Indians.
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The all-rounder also faced a difficult IPL campaign as Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the points table for the second time under his captaincy. His future role with the franchise has since become a topic of discussion.
Despite his recent fitness concerns, the Indian team management continues to view Pandya as a key player in the ODI format. He was not included in the T20I squads for the Ireland and England series, nor in the squad for the Asian Games.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently said that India's priority is to keep Pandya fit for major ODI assignments, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“He is a part of the one-day squad right now in Afghanistan. Like Bumrah, if we can get him playing well and keep him fit for one-day cricket, that is, at this point, the main objective,” Agarkar said.
He added that resting Pandya from T20 cricket also creates opportunities for other players, including Nitish Reddy, to gain international experience.
Agarkar further stressed that Pandya remains an important part of India's long-term ODI plans. He noted that the all-rounder's ability to contribute with both bat and ball provides balance to the team.
Pandya's last ODI appearance came during the Champions Trophy last year. The selectors will now monitor his recovery closely before making a decision on his return.
India's management is expected to assess his fitness over the coming weeks as preparations continue for the England ODI series and the longer-term build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.