Hardik Pandya left out of India squad for Afghanistan T20Is after leg setback

Hardik Pandya has been left out of India's squad named for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to begin on September 13, after sustaining a fresh leg setback while rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

The selectors' announcement included several notable selections and returns as India prepare for the series, with Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar rejoining the T20I group. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravi Bishnoi were also named, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was at the CoE, has been added to the squad. The picks were framed as part of an effort to assess team combinations ahead of the three-match series.

Reports from The Times of India say Pandya experienced a niggle while bowling during his rehabilitation and was advised to reduce his bowling workload. TOI sources added that prior to this setback he had been operating at full intensity. That fresh issue has ruled him out of the upcoming series and has delayed his international comeback.

Pandya has not played an international match for India since the ICC T20 World Cup final on March 8. Team staff have confirmed he has not shown problems with his movements while batting, but his availability as a bowler remains the key factor for selection.

TOI later reported that Pandya is likely to resume bowling soon, suggesting a possibility of a return later in 2026. Meanwhile, his fitness is continuing to be assessed at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, and it has been confirmed he will not feature in the Afghanistan T20Is.

Pandya was also omitted from the Asian Games squad; selectors chose not to include him so he could be preserved for the ODI format. That decision, along with the current assessment at the CoE, underlines his immediate unavailability for the Afghanistan series.

For now, India will proceed with the squad named for the three-match T20I series beginning September 13 without Pandya, while his rehabilitation and bowling workload remain under ongoing review at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.