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Hardik Pandya's cricket comeback delayed; India mainstay set to miss SA ODIs: Report

Debashis Sarangi

Hardik Pandya [Source: AFP]Hardik Pandya [Source: AFP]

According to emerging reports, experienced Indian allrounder Hardik Pandya is set to miss the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. The seasoned campaigner's comeback to competitive cricket will likely be delayed further amid his rehabilitation from a quadriceps injury. 

Hardik Pandya to miss SA ODIs, comeback likely in T20I leg

Veteran Indian allrounder Hardik Pandya missed the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan after sustaining a quadricep injury during the Super Four stage. He later hit the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), where he underwent rehabilitation through scheduled training sessions. 

It was initially reported that Pandya could be asked to prove match-fitness by participating in Baroda's first or second round matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy. However, according to the latest TOI report, the 32-year-old's Baroda joining will now be postponed, and he might feature in one of the subsequent matches on either November 30 or December 2. 

The report also states that the CoE is against the idea of rushing Hardik Pandya straightaway into competitive cricket. Therefore, given that the India-South Africa ODIs will be played from November 30 to December 6, Pandya's participation in the highly anticipated home series is unlikely. 

Who will fill Hardik Pandya's void in IND squad for SA ODIs?

Young allrounder Nitish Reddy featured in India's ODI XI on the Australia tour. Although the Hyderabad cricketer registered middling numbers, Pandya's delayed comeback might prompt the Indian think tank to persist with Reddy as their first-choice allrounder. 

Reddy was recently released from India's Test squad to play the unofficial ODI series between India-A and South Africa-A. The stylish right-hander played a pivotal role in India's emphatic win in the series opener, slamming 37 runs off just 26 deliveries. So, if Hardik misses out, Reddy seems the frontrunner to replace him in India's ODI squad for the South Africa series.