Hardik set to miss Australia A one-dayers after fresh injury

Hardik Pandya, the senior all-rounder, has suffered a fresh injury to his right shin, which is expected to sideline him from competitive cricket for at least three weeks. This includes the white ball tour of New Zealand. Initial plans had slated his return to play on September 20, leading the selectors to include him for India A's upcoming One Day series against Australia A, starting October 6.

Pandya's injury scan reports have shown that he needs a two-week period of complete rest. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the head of the BCCI's medical panel, will assess him upon his return from Japan and decide when he can start his rehabilitation. The New Zealand T20I series commences on October 22, followed by an ODI series. It is evident that Hardik is unlikely to recover in time for either.

Reports suggest that the BCCI had intended for Pandya to accompany the squad to Japan for Asian Games. However, he fell ill with shooting pain around his knee during fielding drills just prior to the Afghanistan T20 series. Despite taking a break, the pain resurfaced, and scans confirmed the injury. Over the past four months, Pandya has had at least three incidents of fresh niggles, all of which have hindered his comeback.

With the New Zealand series out of the question, Pandya will now have to wait for the Zimbabwe ODIs to assess his fitness. Alternatively, he might have to monitor his condition in upcoming Vijay Hazare or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches.