Cricket

‘Play more cricket’: Kapil Dev’s blunt take on Hardik Pandya’s injury woes

October 8, 2026

Hardik Pandya’s extended layoff from cricket has reignited discussions about player workload and injury risks, as India faces a cluster of fitness setbacks ahead of their upcoming tour of New Zealand. Pandya, who last played in the final week of IPL 2026, was initially set to return for India A’s ODI series against Australia A starting October 6 but has now been ruled out of the entire white-ball tour, with his comeback delayed past a previously scheduled September 20 return.

Former India captain Kapil Dev emphasized the importance of consistent game time, stating that irregular play increases injury risks, while noting that players like Pandya—who have been sidelined for months—struggle to adapt when suddenly returning to competitive matches. The issue extends beyond Pandya: Prasidh Krishna has been sidelined for at least three weeks and is expected to miss the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, while Harshit Rana, who last played in India’s white-ball series against England in July, is also out due to a recurring quadriceps issue.

Kapil contrasted modern schedules with his era, where players participated in multiple domestic formats year-round, suggesting that frequent play helps bodies stay conditioned for high-intensity cricket.