Hardik Pandya's international cricket return faces roadblock due to leg niggle

NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya's return to international cricket is poised to face another roadblock, as a late leg niggle derailed his plans at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) and puts the all-rounder on the back foot for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. TimesofIndia.com reliably learnt that he was ticking the right boxes but the late development could well make him unavailable for selection. The selectors are expected to meet this week to pick the squad for the T20Is starting September 13 in New Delhi and will be soon briefed on the fitness status of players recovering in Bengaluru.

"Hardik Pandya was operating at full intensity without any discomfort but he has been advised to pause bowling due to discomfort in the leg. He will resume soon, but the Afghanistan series is too close to reach the required fitness levels. Batting and movement-wise, there wasn't any significant issue, but the CoE needs to be completely convinced before giving an all-clear," says a source tracking developments.

The 32-year-old has not played a competitive fixture since turning out for Mumbai Indians in the IPL on May 24. Additionally, his last appearance for Men in Blue came on March 8 in the T20 World Cup final. Ever since, he has missed the white-ball assignments at home against Afghanistan and the subsequent tours of Ireland and England. The latest development has further delayed his return to international cricket.

It is worth pointing out that Pandya had suffered a late relapse before the ODI series against Afghanistan with a low-grade quadriceps sprain. Even then, he had been at peak fitness and training well before the injury struck.

As reported on Monday, all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are progressing well for the Afghanistan series but Jasprit Bumrah remains touch-and-go for those three fixtures. The fast bowler remains on track for the Asian Games.