India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s comeback has suffered another setback after a fresh shin injury forced him to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia A.

Pandya had been included in the India A squad for the 50-over series, which is scheduled to begin on October 6 in Puducherry, subject to fitness clearance. However, he has now been advised to take complete rest for 15 days after experiencing renewed pain in his shin, according to a report by Cricinfo.

The Australia A series was expected to be an important test of Pandya’s fitness, particularly his ability to bowl 10 overs. The BCCI medical staff, team management and selectors are looking for him to prove that he can handle a full bowling workload before returning to competitive cricket.

Pandya underwent his first fitness test on September 17 and bowled during the assessment. However, he did not complete the required 10-over quota.

A second fitness test was conducted on September 19, but the shin pain returned. A subsequent scan this week led to medical staff advising Pandya to take complete rest for two weeks. He will be assessed again after the rest period.

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The latest setback extends Pandya’s absence from competitive cricket, which began in late May during the IPL.

He has spent much of the intervening period undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Fitness problems continue to disrupt comeback

Pandya’s recent injury troubles began with back spasms during the IPL. He later suffered a leg strain while at the Centre of Excellence ahead of India’s ODI series against Afghanistan in June.

He had also reported shin pain shortly before his selection for the Afghanistan series. Scans showed an issue with his tibia, following which he was advised to rest for about a week.

With his latest injury, Pandya will now miss the Australia A ODIs that were expected to provide a key opportunity to assess his match readiness.

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His ability to bowl remains particularly important, with India scheduled to play a five-match ODI series against New Zealand from November 4. The Australia A games were expected to help determine whether Pandya could return to competitive cricket and handle a full 10-over workload.

Pandya has not played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final in March last year. His recurring fitness problems have continued to delay his return to the 50-over format as India build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup in October-November.

With ANI inputs