New Delhi: India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s return to competitive cricket has been delayed again after his latest scans revealed a fresh injury to his right shin. The 32-year-old has been advised complete rest for two weeks and is expected to remain out of competitive cricket for at least three weeks, further affecting his comeback plans.

Pandya had been working towards a return after spending several months at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. He was initially expected to return to competitive cricket around September 20 and had subsequently been included in the India A squad for the upcoming One-Day series against Australia A.

The latest injury means Pandya is set to miss the Australia A ODI series beginning October 6 and is also unlikely to be available for India’s upcoming white-ball assignments against New Zealand.

Fresh injury revealed in latest scan

According to a BCCI source tracking developments at the Centre of Excellence, Pandya’s latest scan reports showed an injury to his right shin.

The source told PTI that Pandya has been advised complete rest for two weeks. BCCI medical panel head Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala is expected to assess the all-rounder after returning from Japan and determine when he can begin his rehabilitation programme.

The fresh injury has come at a particularly important stage of Pandya’s recovery. He had been working towards regaining match fitness after earlier setbacks and had been expected to use the India A assignment against Australia A as part of his return to competitive cricket.

With the latest setback, however, that planned comeback has been pushed back once again.

Australia A series ruled out

Pandya was included in the India A squad for the three-match One-Day series against Australia A, with the first match scheduled for October 6.

His selection had come after his expected ‘Return To Play’ date of September 20. The India A series was viewed as a potential opportunity for the all-rounder to return to competitive cricket before being considered for India’s senior side.

The new shin injury rules him out of that assignment.

India A’s One-Day series against Australia A is part of the wider home series involving the two teams. Pandya’s absence means his return to competitive action will have to wait until he has completed his recovery and received the necessary medical clearance.

New Zealand series also out of reach

Pandya’s latest setback is also expected to keep him out of India’s white-ball series against New Zealand.

The New Zealand T20I series is scheduled to begin on October 22, followed by an ODI series. According to the latest report, there is no possibility of Pandya completing his recovery in time to feature in that assignment.

His next possible opportunities could therefore come later in the domestic season or during India’s subsequent international assignments, depending on his recovery.

The report indicates that Pandya could potentially look towards the Zimbabwe ODI series if he is fit, while domestic competitions such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy could also provide an avenue for him to test his fitness and match readiness.

Knee pain had earlier disrupted his comeback

The latest shin injury follows another setback that affected Pandya’s return earlier this month.

It is understood that the BCCI had wanted Pandya to travel with India’s squad to Japan for the Asian Games, and the operations team had reportedly taken his passport for visa-related work.

However, shortly before India’s Afghanistan T20I series, Pandya developed sudden pain around his knee while taking part in fielding drills. He took a break and was advised to rest for a few days.

When he appeared to be close to obtaining a fitness certificate, the pain reportedly resurfaced. Subsequent scans revealed an injury, delaying his return once again.

The developments meant that Pandya was not part of India’s recent assignments, including the Afghanistan series and the Asian Games campaign.

Multiple setbacks during recovery

Pandya’s latest injury is another interruption in a recovery period that has already involved several setbacks.

According to the NDTV report, the all-rounder has suffered a fresh niggle at least three times over the past four months, affecting his potential returns for the Afghanistan ODIs, England T20Is and now the Australia A series.

Pandya has been based in Bengaluru since the end of the IPL and has been training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

His rehabilitation programme has been aimed at gradually restoring his fitness and allowing him to return to bowling and batting at competitive intensity. The repeated setbacks, however, have prevented him from completing the planned comeback process.

Pandya’s India return remains dependent on fitness

Pandya’s absence has also affected India’s options for a seam-bowling all-rounder.

The all-rounder’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made his fitness an important consideration for India’s plans. However, selection for the senior team will depend on his recovery, rehabilitation and match fitness rather than a fixed return date.

India have already moved towards other all-round options during his absence. Nitish Kumar Reddy, for instance, has been considered as a seam-bowling all-rounder in the ODI setup.

Pandya was not included in India’s squads for the upcoming West Indies white-ball series, with the selectors opting for other options while he continues his recovery.

Focus shifts to rehabilitation

For now, Pandya’s immediate priority will be recovering from the right shin injury and completing the two-week rest period advised by the medical team.

After that, Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and the BCCI medical team will assess his condition and decide when he can restart rehabilitation. His eventual return to training and competitive cricket will depend on how he responds to the treatment and subsequent workload.

The latest setback also means that there is no immediate fixed date for Pandya’s return. Rather than rushing him back, the medical team is expected to monitor his recovery before clearing him for full training and match participation.

What could be next for Hardik Pandya?

With the Australia A series and New Zealand tour now effectively out of his schedule, Pandya’s next opportunity could come later in the domestic or international calendar.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have been identified as possible platforms for him to regain match fitness if he is medically cleared in time. The Zimbabwe ODI series could also become an option, depending on his rehabilitation and selection.

For now, however, Pandya faces another period away from competitive cricket. His return will depend on the progress of his latest injury, subsequent rehabilitation and the medical team’s assessment.

The latest development is another setback for the all-rounder, who has been working at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since the end of the IPL in an effort to regain full fitness.