Hardik Pandya’s return to international cricket has taken another unexpected turn, and the timing could hardly feel more delicate for the national side. After spending two months on the sidelines with a left quadriceps injury suffered during the 2025 Asia Cup, he eased his way back by turning out for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He bowled his full quota of overs in both matches, and his early departure from the Baroda side suggested that he was on track to rejoin India’s plans for the opening T20I against South Africa in Cuttack.
However, things shifted soon after he reached the Barabati Stadium, as his training routine hinted at something not quite right. He went through a long warm-up, moving through stretches and runs with care, and he bowled for around 20 minutes under the watch of Nuwan Seneviratne and Dayanand Garani.
Then Pandya experienced some discomfort, which led to an extended massage session before he returned to the nets for batting. At that point, the worry seemed to ease because he finished his work without showing any trouble.
Yet the worry returned later when he did not turn up for India’s final practice session. Reports suggested that he stayed away only as a precaution, and early word from the team setup stressed that he had no new problem. Even so, the decision added to the unease, because India can hardly afford another setback for a player who gives the T20I side its balance.
Meanwhile, the board had already cut short his domestic return by limiting him to two SMAT games instead of three, which showed that they were being careful with his workload. With a major global event only months away, it makes sense not to push him too hard, especially as the team depends heavily on his all-round ability.
At this stage, India may need to treat every sign seriously, because the next few weeks will decide whether Hardik can regain full rhythm without interruptions. He remains central to long-term plans, and his presence changes the flow of the side in a way few others can. Our view is that India should ease him in with short bursts rather than heavy spells, because another setback could affect far more than just a single series.
