Hardik Pandya likely out until IPL 2027 after calf injury setback

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unlikely to return to competitive cricket before IPL 2027 in March 2027, multiple reports say. He is recovering from a stress injury on the inner side of his shin at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. According to a Dainik Jagran report cited by several outlets, Pandya is expected to start jogging in three weeks, followed by eight weeks of gradually increased running. The medical team, including Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, has not set a firm return date.

Pandya last played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 in May and for India in the T20 World Cup 2026 final in March. He has been ruled out of India’s tour of New Zealand, the white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting December 13, and the ODI series against Zimbabwe from January 3. The 2027 ODI World Cup is less than a year away, and former captain Sunil Gavaskar has called Pandya irreplaceable, urging India to build a different combination in his absence.

Update, 21 October 2026: Crictracker now also reports the story, citing the same Dainik Jagran account of Pandya’s three-week jogging target and eight-week build-up, with no firm return date. It adds that Rishabh Pant is nearing light skill training at the Centre of Excellence.