The Indian team management is reportedly prioritising Hardik Pandya’s fitness for the 2027 ODI World Cup and is in no hurry to bring him back for bilateral white-ball series. According to a report by RevSportz, the all-rounder is currently following a carefully planned workload programme after facing multiple injury setbacks in recent months.
Pandya’s injury troubles began towards the end of IPL 2026, when he sustained an injury before suffering another setback during rehabilitation. Although he successfully cleared his fitness tests and was expected to feature in India’s ODI series against Afghanistan last month, a fresh injury ruled him out just before the opening match.
Since then, the 32-year-old has been undergoing a specialised performance programme at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with the primary focus on preparing him for 50-over cricket.
As a result, Pandya was not considered for India’s tours of Ireland and England or the Asian Games, all of which revolved around the T20 format. While he has now recovered from his latest setback, the team management remains focused on managing his workload carefully ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“The focus is on the 2027 ODI World Cup, where it would be imperative to have a fully fit Hardik. Given his injury record, bilateral white-ball series are not a priority for him at the moment,” a source told RevSportz.
The source also revealed that India’s plans for Pandya over the next year will largely revolve around one format.
“For the next one year, in the lead-up to the World Cup, he will be used mostly in the 50-over format. Hardik’s recovery had a few hiccups, but it is absolutely fine now,” the source added.
India’s dependence on Pandya was evident during the recent ODI series against England. Captain Shubman Gill struggled to find the right balance in the playing XI after pace-bowling all-rounder options were severely depleted due to injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana.
With the ODI World Cup less than 18 months away, the Indian team management appears determined to ensure Pandya remains fully fit for the marquee event rather than risking him in a packed bilateral schedule.
