Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised serious concerns over Hardik Pandya’s repeated injury problems. Pathan felt the latest setback could make it difficult for the Indian team management and selectors to completely trust Hardik Pandya’s availability in important matches.
After missing Ireland, England, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Asian Games 2026, Pandya was also ruled out of the ongoing white-ball series against the West Indies.
He has been recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and was expected to return through India A against Australia A. However, a fresh shin injury ruled him out again.
Hardik Pandya’s injury troubles started during IPL 2026 when he suffered a back stress issue. He then faced a quadriceps injury and had several setbacks while trying to return to action.
Even before his latest shin injury, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir had made it clear that Pandya was not yet fit enough to bowl 10 overs in the ODI matches.
Irfan Pathan explains why Hardik Pandya’s latest injury is a major worry for India
Now, reacting to the entire situation, Irfan Pathan believes that repeated injuries without playing competitive cricket can affect the confidence of the team management and selectors.
He pointed out that getting injured while playing is different from suffering another setback during rehabilitation. Earlier, Michael Clarke questions Hardik Pandya’s fitness.
Pathan said on Star Sports, “It is unfortunate for any player that Hardik is getting injured without playing. You play, get injured, and then get injured again during rehab. He is ruled out of the India A series as well, and this will not give the management and selectors confidence. It is one thing to get injured if you keep playing and your workload increases.”
With Pandya’s fitness still uncertain, Pathan believes that the Indian team must start developing more fast-bowling all-rounders who can provide a proper backup. He feels Nitish Kumar Reddy is one player who deserves a longer opportunity across the formats.
Reddy has shown good progress, especially with his bowling. His pace has improved, and he has also worked hard on his skills. After returning from injury, the young all-rounder contributed with the ball during India’s recent T20I series against Afghanistan.
Irfan Pathan urges India to back Nitish Kumar Reddy amid Hardik Pandya’s fitness concerns
Pathan feels India should give Reddy and other similar players enough chances to develop because having two reliable all-rounders can give the team more options because of Pandya’s fitness concerns. Reddy is currently part of the India team facing West Indies in the ODI series.
The former World Cup winner further added, “Whenever the chance is there, it is important for the management to develop two all-rounders. That is why you will see that Nitish will be backed. His responsibility is now to perform and stay fit. We have seen his graph going upwards. His pace has gone up, and he has worked on his bowling.”
Why Pandya’s role is so important
A fully fit Pandya gives India a rare combination of batting depth and a genuine bowling option. His presence allows India to play attacking combinations, including an additional specialist spinner such as Kuldeep Yadav, without weakening the balance of the team.
India has not produced many pace-bowling all-rounders who can bowl a full 10-over spell in ODIs while also providing powerful finishing ability with the bat, making Pandya a crucial part of the team.
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