Senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya has sustained a fresh injury to his right shin which is all set to rule him out of competitive cricket for at least three weeks including the white ball tour of New Zealand.

Pandya’s ‘Return To Play’ date was set for September 20 and accordingly the selectors picked him for India A for the upcoming One Day series against Australia A starting October 6.

“This is very unfortunate, but Hardik’s latest scan reports have revealed an injury to his right shin. He has been advised complete rest for a period of two weeks. BCCI’s medical panel head Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala has seen his reports and, on his return from Japan, will assess him and decide on when he can start his rehabilitation,” a BCCI source tracking COE developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The New Zealand T20I series starts on October 22, followed by the ODI series. There is no chance of Hardik making a comeback by then.

It is understood that BCCI wanted Pandya to travel with the squad to Japan for Asian Games and BCCI’s operations team had taken his passport for visa related work.

However just before the start of the Afghanistan T20 series, he suddenly developed a shooting pain around his knee while doing his fielding drills. He in fact took a break and decided to take a few days’ rest. However just as he was ready to get fit certificate, the pain resurfaced and scans revealed that there is an injury.

The 32 year old Pandya is based out of Bengaluru since the end of IPL and now trains at the Centre of Excellence having relocated to the Garden City.

But over the course of last four months, at least thrice (Afghanistan ODIs, England T20Is and now Australia A), the all-rounder has suffered a fresh niggle which has proved to be an impediment towards his comeback.

With the New Zealand series also out of his way, Pandya will now have to wait for the Zimbabwe ODIs if he is fit to play or perhaps check his fitness in Vijay Hazare or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Sanju Samson on Sunday (March 8, 2026) attributed his phenomenal success in the business end of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign to his “big conversations” with Sachin Tendulkar, saying he had been in constant touch with the batting great for last two months.

Samson was adjudged the Player of the Tournament for his explosive knocks in the last three matches of the event, including the semifinal against England and the final against New Zealand.

“For the last couple of months, I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir. I reached out to him and had big big conversations with him. Getting a guidance from someone like him, what more can you ask for?”

“I am very grateful for everyone who supported me,” Samson said India’s 96-run win in the title clash in which he top-scored with a scintillating 89.

Samson, who was struggling prior to the World Cup, added, “Feels like a dream. Very happy and grateful. Out of words, out of emotions.”

“To be honest, it started one-two years before. When I was in the 2024 World Cup team where I didn’t play, I kept visualising, kept on working and this was exactly what I wanted to do. After the New Zealand series I was broken, my dreams were completely shattered.”

“And I was thinking what can I do. But God had different plans. And I was rewarded for being brave enough to dream. A lot of former players have reached out to me and tried to help me out.”

Asked what more does he want to achieve, the wicketkeeper-batter said, “This itself is very big for me, I want to enjoy it right now and then after a few days will figure out what more to do.”