Indian captain Shubman Gill has revealed that he has been in contact with all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand. Pandya last played professional cricket in IPL 2026 for Mumbai Indians and since then he has been on the sidelines as he continues to struggle with multiple injuries.
The all-rounder was recently picked in India A squad for the white-ball series against Australia A but his selection was subject to fitness clearance. However, Pandya suffered a fresh injury, which has further delayed his comeback.
Pandya is currently recovering at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Gill revealed Pandya will play some domestic cricket after completing his recovery and then he would make a comeback in the Indian colors.
“Firstly, he (Hardik) is a great player, you know the qualities that he brings to the team. Not many players in the world possess those qualities. To be able to have a fast bowling all-rounder, who can bowl at any facet of the game with the new ball, mid-overs and death overs; and the kind of batting he has,” Shubman Gill said in the pre-series press conference (via RevSportz)
“It’s been very unfortunate that he hasn’t been able to play since the IPL. And yes, we have had multiple conversations. He was supposed to play the India matches, but just before that he got some niggles again. So hopefully, he will be fit soon and will play some domestic cricket and then hopefully we will see him back in the side soon,” he added.
In Pandya’s absence, India is trying to groom Nitish Kumar Reddy as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Reddy is only part of the first ODI against New Zealand and he would be released to play for India A in order to prepare for the Test series.
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday.
