Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to make his much-awaited comeback to the Indian team next month during the white-ball series against South Africa. According to a Times of India report on Wednesday (October 22), Pandya will complete his rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru over the next four weeks and is expected to be fully fit in time for the series.
Pandya last represented India on September 26 against Sri Lanka in Dubai. He missed both the Asia Cup final against Pakistan and the ongoing white-ball series in Australia due to a quadriceps injury.
No Surgery Needed, Rehab Underway
Pandya, who turned 32 on October 11, will not require surgery for his injury. He checked into the Centre of Excellence last week but took a short Diwali break before resuming training on Wednesday.
“The timeline of his return was chalked out by the medical team last week, and the initial assessment didn’t raise any major concerns,” TOI reported.
This is a big boost for India as they look to finalize their core squad ahead of a busy international calendar.
Pandya’s Asia Cup 2025 Campaign
Hardik played six matches in the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE, scoring 47 runs in four innings and picking up four wickets. He missed the final on September 28 against Pakistan, where Rinku Singh replaced him in the playing XI.
India vs South Africa Series Schedule
The Proteas will tour India for two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is.
- Tests:
- 1st Test – Nov 14–18 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- 2nd Test – Nov 22–26 at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati
- ODIs:
- 1st ODI – Nov 30 in Ranchi
- 2nd ODI – Dec 3 in Raipur
- 3rd ODI – Dec 6 in Visakhapatnam
- T20Is:
- 1st T20I – Dec 9 in Cuttack
- 2nd T20I – Dec 11 in Mullanpur
- 3rd T20I – Dec 14 in Dharamsala
- 4th T20I – Dec 17 in Lucknow
- 5th T20I – Dec 19 in Ahmedabad
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