Hardik Pandya Facing Extended Absence Until IPL 2027 Due to Injury

Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unlikely to return to competitive cricket until the next edition of the Indian Premier League in 2027. The 32-year-old player is currently sidelined due to an inner-side calf stress injury, which has kept him out of action since the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season.

Pandya is undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His medical reports were recently reviewed by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, outlining a careful and phased recovery plan designed to prevent any further stress on the injured area of his body.

According to the established rehabilitation timeline, Pandya will begin light jogging after three weeks. Medical professionals and coaches plan to increase his running workload and strength training gradually over the subsequent eight weeks. Despite these proactive measures, a definitive date for his full match fitness has not yet been announced.

The prolonged recovery period means the veteran cricketer has already missed a substantial portion of the international and domestic calendar. His absence dates back to his final international appearance during the 2026 T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, as well as his last domestic outing with the Mumbai Indians.

Throughout 2026, Pandya was unavailable for several major assignments. He missed home series against Afghanistan, tours to Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe, the 2026 Asian Games, a one-off T20I against Japan, and tours to New Zealand and the West Indies. Additionally, he sat out domestic competitions like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Looking ahead, the management team notes that Pandya is almost certain to miss India's upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which begins in December, and an ODI series against Zimbabwe in January. Team management continues to support the all-rounder, valuing his critical contributions with both bat and ball as they look toward future international tournaments.