
Following India's Twenty20 International series triumph over Afghanistan, head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed Hardik Pandya's ongoing absence from the national setup. The Mumbai Indians skipper has experienced an extended hiatus due to recurrent injury troubles since the 2026 IPL, having last represented India during their T20 World Cup final victory over New Zealand.
Gambhir explained that Pandya currently lacks the physical capacity to deliver a ten-over spell in ODIs, prompting selectors to place him in the India A squad to face Australia A upon medical clearance while omitting him from the West Indies one-day series starting September 27. Team management wants the senior all-rounder to rebuild match fitness through competitive fixtures before returning to senior international action.
In Pandya's absence, the team has relied on pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was recently pulled from the Asian Games roster to join the 50-over squad against the West Indies. Gambhir indicated that seam-bowling all-rounders will be essential for future challenges, including an upcoming tour of South Africa.
The head coach also noted that once Pandya proves his fitness and rejoins the white-ball squads, India would consider fielding both Reddy and Pandya in the same starting lineup.
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