The return of Hardik Pandya to international cricket is set to be delayed further as he experienced pain in his right shin earlier this week.

He was set to return to action on September 20, and accordingly, the selectors picked him for India A for the upcoming One-Day series against Australia A, starting October 06.

According to some reports, the all-rounder will be missing the three fixtures against Australia A in Puducherry on October 06.

The BCCI medical team monitoring his rehabilitation has advised further rest following a fresh round of scans. He has been out of the action with the same shin problem where he missed the selections for both the Afghanistan ODIs and T20Is.

His return for the New Zealand series is highly unlikely extending his absence from the Indian team for straight five months. India are set to play a five match T20I and ODIs and a two match test series in the bilateral series.

“This is very unfortunate but Hardik’s latest scan reports have revealed an injury to his right shin. He has been advised complete rest for a period of two weeks. BCCI’s medical panel head Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala has seen his reports and on his return from Japan, will assess him and decide on when he can start his rehabilitation,” said a BCCI source.

Hardik Pandya played his last competitve match in the IPL 2026 on May 24. Since then, he has missed the home series against Afghanistan, the tour of Ireland and England, and in line to miss the hme ODI series against West Indies as well.

Meanwhile, BCCI hoped Pandya to travel with India squad to Japan for Asian Games 2026 and the BCCI’s operations team had taken his passport for visa- work.

However, before the start of the Afghanistan T20 series, he suddenly developed a shooting pain around his knee while doing his fielding drills. He took a break and decided to take few days rest.

However, just as he was ready to get a fitness certificate, the pain resurfaced and scans revealed that there was an injury.

The 32-year old has been in Bengaluru since the end of the IPL and now trains at the Centre of Excellence after relocating to the Garden City.

With Blackcaps series is out of way to his return ticket, Hardik Pandya will have to wait for the Zimbabwe ODI in January 2027.