Team India faces a setback before their three-match ODI series against England as allrounder Hardik Pandya is still recovering from a suspected leg strain. This adds to the concerns regarding Virat Kohli’s fitness.
Although Virat is included in India’s squad for the series, his participation depends on his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Hardik is an important player for India as they look forward to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. His absence is particularly notable since he was not selected for the T20Is against Ireland or England or the Asian Games. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had stated that Hardik is being prepared specifically for the 50-over format, keeping the World Cup in mind.
“He is part of the one-day squad right now for the Afghanistan series. Similar to Bumrah, our main objective is to have him play well and stay fit for one-day Cricket, especially since he hasn’t played it for a while,” Agarkar remarked during the announcement of the squads for Ireland and England series as well as the Asian Games.
Initially, both Hardik and Rohit Sharma were selected for the Afghanistan ODIs pending medical clearance. While Rohit managed to regain his fitness in time, Hardik could not.
Hardik also missed several matches for the Mumbai Indians during the recent IPL season. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah assumed the captaincy. With Hardik unfit, India’s squad depth will be tested, and the upcoming ODI series will show how the team plans to respond while keeping the 2027 World Cup objectives in sight.
India’s squad for ODIs vs England:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (subject to fitness), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar.