Gautam Gambhir confirms Hardik Pandya will not be rushed back to cricket

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that the team will not rush Hardik Pandya back into international cricket until he regains full match fitness. Pandya has been sidelined since the conclusion of IPL 2026 due to back spasms and a subsequent leg strain. Currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Pandya is not yet capable of bowling his full quota of 10 overs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

As a potential pathway for his return, Pandya has been named in the India A squad for a series of three One-Day matches against Australia A in Puducherry, scheduled for October 6 to 11. His participation remains subject to fitness clearance. If he performs well in these fixtures, he may be considered for the upcoming white-ball series in New Zealand starting October 22.

In the interim, the team is focusing on the development of Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy, who was recently withdrawn from the Asian Games squad to focus on ODIs, has shown strong form as a seam-bowling all-rounder, notably finishing as the highest wicket-taker in the recent T20I series against Afghanistan. Gambhir noted that the team could eventually play both Pandya and Reddy in the same starting eleven once Pandya is fully recovered.