Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy Close to Return for T20Is

Rehabilitation Progress for India Stars

Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy are making significant strides in their recoveries and are set to feature in India’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which kicks off on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Both players have been diligently working at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, under the guidance of the medical and coaching staff. Pandya has been sidelined since sustaining a quadriceps strain and experiencing persistent back spasms, which led to him missing out on the white-ball series against England.

Pandya’s Extended Rehabilitation

Having spent the last seven to eight months focused on recovery, Pandya is optimistic about returning to competitive cricket. His commitment is evident, as he continues to push through the rigorous rehabilitation process.

Reddy, on the other hand, has been battling a hamstring issue. He maintains a strict training regimen, often returning home only on weekends, which signifies his dedication to recovery.

Washington Sundar’s Fitness Update

Meanwhile, Washington Sundar is also nearing the necessary fitness clearances to participate in the series. He spent the weekend in Chennai, but is expected to report back to the Centre of Excellence this week for final assessments.

“The practical target is the T20Is against Afghanistan, allowing Sundar to seamlessly reintegrate into the setup with some match play,” a source disclosed to the Times of India. Sundar’s workload has gradually increased over the past few weeks, making him a potential candidate for selection in the three T20Is.

Selection Committee’s Upcoming Meeting

This week, the men’s senior selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is likely to convene to finalize the squad for the Afghanistan series. This timing will enable the committee to evaluate the fitness levels of the aforementioned players, especially Pandya and Reddy, before making any decisions.

“Both Reddy and Pandya have committed an extensive amount of time at the CoE, with breaks primarily for personal commitments. Their focus has been on recovery,” the source added.

Bumrah’s Tentative Return

Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah’s participation remains uncertain as he continues rehabilitation from a knee injury sustained during July’s ODI series against England. There are reports suggesting that while he may miss the Afghanistan matches, there is optimism about his involvement in the Asian Games 2026 tournament.

“Bumrah is making promising progress, with the management keen on easing him back into action through T20Is,” the source highlighted. His management is cautious to avoid rushing his return, prioritizing long-term health as they navigate through potential participation in upcoming tournaments.

Conclusion

With the T20I series against Afghanistan looming, all eyes are on Pandya, Reddy, and Sundar as fans await updates on their return to the field. The selection committee’s choices will be pivotal to India’s performance as they aim for a strong showing in the international arena.