Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is diligently undergoing a four-week rehabilitation program at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The good news for fans is that he is not expected to require surgery for his quadriceps injury and is set to make his return for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa.
Hardik Pandya in action during the Asia Cup match between India and Bangladesh on September 24, 2025.
The 32-year-old checked into the CoE last week but took a short break to celebrate Diwali festivities. He has since resumed his intensive training sessions, fully committed to achieving complete match fitness in time for the crucial series against South Africa. A medical team conducted an initial assessment last week, and thankfully, no major concerns were identified regarding his recovery progress.
Pandya’s injury was sustained during the Asia Cup game against Sri Lanka, which unfortunately sidelined him for the high-stakes final against Pakistan. He has since been out of action, also missing the ongoing tour of Australia, which includes three One Day Internationals and five Twenty20 Internationals. India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, acknowledged the significant void left by Pandya’s absence.
“Losing a player of Hardik’s caliber is always a considerable setback. However, looking at the brighter side, it has created an opportunity for Nitish to gain valuable game time, and we are actively working on developing him in that role,” Kotak stated ahead of the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide.
Kotak further emphasized the importance of a versatile all-rounder in any team. “Every team benefits greatly from having an all-rounder, and our focus is on nurturing Nitish for that role. This period serves as valuable preparation. But undeniably, any team would feel the absence of a player like Hardik.”
The white-ball series between India and South Africa is scheduled to kick off on November 30, featuring three ODIs followed by five T20Is. Pandya’s potential return will be a major boost for the Indian squad.