Hardik Pandya left out of India squad for New Zealand T20Is with shin injury

Hardik Pandya was not named in India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled from October 22 to November 1, 2026, after a fresh right shin problem. The board and medical staff withdrew him following diagnosis of a symptomatic right tibial bone stress response.

India arrive in New Zealand with several changes to their T20I setup as they seek options ahead of the tour; Shreyas Iyer will captain and Tilak Varma will serve as his deputy. Selectors combined younger players with experienced campaigners, recalled Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the T20I side after nearly four years, brought back Varun Chakravarthy following recovery from a side strain, and rested Jasprit Bumrah for the assignment.

The medical update stated there is no fracture or structural bone damage to Pandya’s shin, but the symptomatic right tibial bone stress response ruled him out of the India A ODI series against Australia A. Pandya had been named in the T20I group subject to fitness before being withdrawn, and the medical team at the Centre of Excellence advised two weeks of rest.

Pandya has not played competitive cricket since the IPL, and his last T20I appearance came in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad in March 2026. With Pandya unavailable, India will turn to alternative all-rounders for the New Zealand T20Is, with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Naman Dhir listed among the options.

India open the five-match T20I series against New Zealand on October 22 and conclude it on November 1, 2026; the tour is scheduled to continue with three ODIs from November 4 to 15.