Hardik Pandya’s prolonged absence from competitive cricket has once again raised questions about player workload, game time and injury management in Indian cricket. The India all-rounder has not featured in competitive cricket since the conclusion of IPL 2026, and his return has now been pushed back further.
Pandya was expected to make his comeback for India A in the upcoming ODI series against Australia A, which began on October 6. However, his return was delayed, and the all-rounder has subsequently been ruled out of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand.
With Pandya continuing to struggle with his availability, former India captain Kapil Dev believes the all-rounder needs to play more cricket to keep his body accustomed to the demands of the game.
“Play more cricket,” Kapil told The Times of India when asked what Pandya needs to do to remain available more consistently.
When asked whether he felt Pandya was not playing enough cricket, Kapil explained how regular game time can help players manage their bodies better.
“I don’t know. You play more, your body gets tuned to that. But if you play less and suddenly you play more, chances of injury increase. If your muscles are fine, your injuries are less,” he added.
India dealing with multiple injury concerns
Kapil’s comments come at a time when India are dealing with fitness issues involving several players. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out for at least three weeks and is highly likely to miss the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand.
India’s tour of New Zealand is scheduled to begin with a five-match T20I series on October 22. Harshit Rana is another player facing a fitness setback. The pacer is unlikely to be considered for the New Zealand tour after recently suffering another injury setback.
Rana was previously ruled out of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the 2026 Asian Games due to injury. He had been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru but developed low-grade pain in his left quadriceps during a match simulation.
Pandya, meanwhile, has been away from competitive cricket since IPL 2026. Harshit last played for India during the white-ball series against England in July.
Kapil Dev recalls playing regularly during his era
The growing number of injuries in modern cricket also led to a discussion around the volume of cricket played by international cricketers.
Kapil pointed to the difference between the playing patterns of his generation and the current era. He recalled former India batter Sandeep Patil’s observation about players regularly featuring across different forms of domestic cricket.
“Sandeep Patil put it very nicely. ‘In our time we used to play Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, club cricket, other cricket too.’ In 365 days, if you can play 250 days, you’re in the game,” Kapil said.
According to the former India captain, regular competitive cricket helps players keep their bodies accustomed to the demands of the sport. For India, Pandya’s prolonged absence and the fitness concerns surrounding several other players have once again highlighted the challenge of keeping key players available consistently.
