Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has reportedly completed an intense rehabilitation program at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. According to a PTI report, Hardik is expected to make his comeback for the Men in Blue in the T20I series.
Pandya has been out of action since injuring his left quadriceps during the Asia Cup 2025. The all-rounder missed the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. He was also not included in the white-ball squads for the Australia tour. His recovery took longer than expected, which ruled him out of the South Africa ODIs as well.
Hardik Pandya Cleared to Play T20 Cricket After Completing CoE Return-to-Play Program
Hardik Pandya has completed his Return to Play program at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He trained in Bengaluru from October 21 to November 30 and has now been declared fit to play T20 cricket again.
Your daily dose of cricket!
The BCCI had already planned to use Hardik only in T20Is as India prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup. His clearance to bowl and bat again is a big boost for the team.
As part of his comeback, Hardik will now play for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. He will test his fitness and see how his body handles a full match workload.
Hardik Pandya Set to Play Two Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Matches for Baroda
PTI has reported that Hardik Pandya is expected to play at least two matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He will play the match against Punjab on December 2, followed by the game against Gujarat on December 4.
The 32-year-old cricketer may also play a third match against Haryana on December 6. This would give the selectors a clearer idea of whether he is completely ready for an international return. Selector Pragyan Ojha has been assigned to watch Hardik’s performances during this domestic phase.
Ojha will share regular updates with the Indian selectors and the team management. Hardik is important to India’s T20I plans. His role as a finisher with the bat and as a seam-bowling all-rounder brings balance to the team.
India to Begin South Africa T20I Series in Cuttack on December 9
India and South Africa will begin their T20I series on December 9 in Cuttack, with the remaining matches to be played in Mullanpur and other venues. Hardik Pandya is expected to join the Indian squad for the series if he completes his games for Baroda without any fitness issues.
His return is also part of the BCCI’s long-term workload plan. With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, the board wants to keep him focused on the format where he is most valuable, and they do not want to rush him into ODIs, which hold less importance at the moment.
Pandya made his debut for India in 2016. He has become a key figure in white-ball cricket and has already played 94 ODIs and 120 T20Is for the national team.
Also read: “We have seen one of the best knocks” – Tilak Varma in awe of Virat Kohli’s Ranchi ODI ton
