Hardik Pandya Latest Update: India All-Rounder to Return Directly in IPL 2027?

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya could return to competitive cricket only during IPL 2027, with his recovery from a shin stress injury expected to keep him out of action for several more months.

According to a report by Dainik Jagran, the 32-year-old is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, and no date has been finalised for his return to match fitness.

Pandya has been dealing with a stress-related injury on the inner side of his right shin, delaying his planned comeback after earlier fitness setbacks. He was subsequently ruled out of the India A one-day series against Australia A and the senior team's upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Hardik Pandya's recovery timeline

According to the Dainik Jagran report, Pandya is expected to begin jogging approximately three weeks from the latest assessment. His running workload will then be increased gradually over the following eight weeks, depending on his response to rehabilitation.

However, completing this phase will not automatically make him ready for competitive cricket. He will need to regain the fitness and workload capacity required to play at the highest level, particularly given his responsibilities as a pace-bowling all-rounder.

The medical team has not set a definitive date for his return to match fitness. His progress through rehabilitation will determine when he can resume cricket-specific training and eventually return to competition.

Which series could Hardik Pandya miss?

Pandya has not been included in India's squads for the New Zealand tour. His recovery timeline also puts his participation in the subsequent white-ball assignments against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in doubt.

India's domestic season is another potential route back to competitive cricket, but the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy are expected to conclude before he is ready to return, according to the report.

With India scheduled to play a five-Test series against Australia from January 21 to March 3, 2027, those matches are unlikely to provide a return opportunity for Pandya, who is primarily a white-ball specialist.

Is IPL 2027 his next possible assignment?

The IPL could therefore become Pandya's next opportunity to return to competitive cricket, with the 2027 season expected to begin in March. However, this remains a possibility rather than a confirmed comeback date.

Pandya's fitness will be important for India as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. For now, his priority remains completing rehabilitation and regaining the fitness required to resume playing.