
Samira Vishwas
Tezzbuzz|20-06-2026
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to miss the three-match ODI tour of England, which begins in July. The 32-year-old was set to play the series at home against Afghanistan, but a last-minute injury to his quadricep had scuppered the hope of a return to the field.
According to a report carried by Dainik Jagran, the Indian cricket star needs a bit more time to recuperate from his latest fitness setback. The same report also said that former India skipper Virat Kohli will undergo a fitness Test on 26th June to get an all-clear. 37-year-old batter was also ruled out of the series against AFG due to a hamstring injury.
Hardik Pandya also out of ODI series in England due to injury. Virat Kohli’s fitness test will be held on June 22 at the COE in Bengaluru. After that it will be known whether he will play the ODI series against England or not.#indiancricket
— Abhishek Tripathi / Abhishek Tripathi (@abhishereporter) June 20, 2026
Both players were last seen in the IPL 2026 season representing the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengalururespectively. Indian selectors have ignored Hardik from the T20I side as well. According to Ajit Agarkar, the selectors want the cricketer to focus on ODI cricket with the 2027 World Cup in mind.
Last time Hardik Pandya played an ODI match for India was during the 2025 Champions Trophy tournament. This year, the Baroda-based all-rounder missed a few games in the IPL after suffering back spasms. It was also an uneventful season for Pandya as the captain of MI, with the team finishing ninth in the table.
In his absence, Nitish Kumar Reddy was called up for the IND vs AFG series. SRH star had also suffered slight fitness issues during the second ODI in Lucknow. Indian selectors will be keen to retain Nitish in the side and give him a proper run.
Men in Blue are slated to play three ODIs during their tour of England and then will play their next 50-over series in October. Shubman Gill and his side are set to play West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe till early 2027 to prepare for the World Cup next year.




