MUMBAI: Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that there will be no rush to fast-track Hardik Pandya return to team india without him fully proving his match fitness in international cricket.
According to details, Hardik Pandya has been included in the India A squad for the one-day matches against Australia A, marking his potential return to action for the first time since the 2026 IPL.
Gambhir noted that in Hardik’s absence, Nitish Kumar Reddy has firmly established himself as a reliable alternative, picking up 6 wickets in a T20I series against Afghanistan to finish as the leading wicket-taker.
Gambhir emphasized that pace-bowling all-rounders will be vital for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and if both players are completely fit, India could consider playing them together in the same XI.
However, explaining the caution regarding the Hardik Pandya return to team india, the head coach highlighted that because he cannot currently bowl his full quota of 10 overs and has played limited cricket since the IPL, selectors will exercise patience.
He confirmed that if Hardik proves his fitness through India A fixtures, selection for upcoming limited-overs squads will be evaluated, ensuring that a hurried Hardik Pandya return to team india is avoided until full physical readiness is demonstrated.
Hardik Pandya Career Record in ODIs and T20Is
Hardik Pandya has established himself as one of modern white-ball cricket’s premier all-rounders, boasting impressive statistics across both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) as documented by official records.
In his ODI career spanning over 90 matches, Hardik has accumulated close to 1,900 runs at a remarkable batting average exceeding 32, frequently rescuing the middle order with vital counter-attacking knocks and multiple half-centuries.
With the ball, his aggressive right-arm medium-fast spells have yielded over 90 ODI wickets, providing critical breakthroughs and structural balance to the bowling attack.
In the shortest format, his T20I record is equally stellar.
Having played well over 130 T20 International matches, Hardik has scored more than 2,100 runs at a high strike rate that underlines his credentials as a lethal finisher in the death overs.
Furthermore, his knack for picking up crucial wickets has seen him cross the milestone of 100 T20I wickets, making him the first fast-bowling all-rounder in the format to achieve the prestigious double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets.
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Despite these stellar career figures, maintaining his physical durability remains central to his prospects, underlining why management insists on careful evaluation before a permanent Hardik Pandya return to team india is finalized.
