India have suffered a major setback ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan as star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to miss the entire series after sustaining a leg strain during training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Hardik was expected to join the Indian squad after the conclusion of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, but the injury has delayed his return. The BCCI is yet to make an official announcement, though reports suggest the all-rounder will remain under rehabilitation.
The injury comes after a challenging period for Hardik, who also missed several IPL 2026 matches due to back spasms before making a late-season comeback for Mumbai Indians.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, Team India management is prioritizing Hardik’s fitness and workload management. His absence will be a significant blow for India, as he remains one of the team’s most important match-winners in the 50-over format.
Can India overcome the loss of their star all-rounder, or will Afghanistan capitalize on this opportunity
