He picked up an injury during Asia Cup 2025.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to return to action after a gap of more than two months. The 32-year-old succumbed to a quadriceps injury during India’s last league-stage Asia Cup 2025 match against Sri Lanka. As a result, he missed the final too, against Pakistan.
As we move towards the T20 World Cup in February 2026, Hardik’s return to the squad holds utmost importance. Reportedly, as per RevSportz, Hardik Pandya will be a part of India’s next T20I series in November, against South Africa at home. The five-match series will begin on December 9 in Cuttack.
In the Asia Cup, he could manage only 48-odd runs at a 120 strike rate, while scalping four wickets. In 120 T20I matches, the pace all-rounder has made 1,800+ runs and taken 98 wickets.
Playing at home will be advantageous for Pandya as he would look to regain form after the injury gap.
He primarily plays the role of a fearless and risk-taking finisher and has taken Team India to multiple wins in this format. He was recently part of the MI retention list for IPL 2026.
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The top and middle order is mostly set for India as they enter the World Cup mode at home. The hosts will start with the likes of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, followed by Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. For gloveman options, India have Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson in the ranks.
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel are ideal spin-allrounders, while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy are dedicated spin-bowling options. The pace attack will revolve around Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
But a loophole in this lineup is to have a third pacer and a strong finisher. Hardik Pandya becomes the key for India’s balance in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. His strike rate of just under 150, at the No.5 spot, can boost the scoreboard. Additionally, a pace all-rounder is a rarity for India. A talent like this is game-changing, while also adding valuable experience to a relatively younger team.
India have tried Shivam Dube at multiple spots. While he is a like-for-like replacement on paper, and is deemed to be a better play of spin in the slog overs, Dube’s returns for India have been forgettable. The presence and addition of Hardik Pandya will become all the more ideal and promising when they enter the big stage.
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