Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Gill says Hardik Pandya should play domestic cricket before returning
India captain Shubman Gill says Hardik Pandya is not ready to return to the national team.
Pandya last played for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup final and has since appeared competitively only for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Gill said Pandya had a niggle before an India A match, but did not give a return date.
He said the team has stayed in touch with Pandya and hopes he plays domestic cricket before coming back.
Pandya’s return could strengthen India’s lower order, where Gill says the team needs support at No.
7 and No.
8.
India are currently touring New Zealand for a five-match ODI series, but Gill did not say when Pandya might rejoin the team.
Shubman Gill said Hardik Pandya should play domestic cricket before returning to the Indian team.
Gill said India is in regular contact with the all-rounder and hopes he will return soon.
Pandya has missed several international assignments amid recurring injuries and fitness setbacks.
Gill said Pandya’s return would strengthen India’s No. 7 and No. 8 positions.
India’s five-match ODI series against New Zealand begins on November 4.
- Who
- India captain Shubman Gill and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
- What
- Gill said Pandya should play domestic cricket before returning to the Indian team.
- When
- Gill made the comments on November 3, 2026, ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand.
- Where
- At a press conference ahead of the ODI series; the Times of India reports it was in Auckland.
- Why
- Pandya has been dealing with injuries, and domestic cricket would give him a route to return to the team.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pandya played his last competitive match of the IPL season, according to India Today.
Pandya suffered a quadriceps strain during rehabilitation, according to India Today.
Pandya was named in India A’s squad for the one-day series against Australia A, subject to fitness clearance.
Gill said Pandya should play domestic cricket before returning to the India squad.
India’s five-match ODI series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin.
- Domestic return route
- Gill said Pandya should play domestic cricket before rejoining India
- Injury setback
- Pandya was reported to have suffered a right shin injury
- Upcoming series
- India-New Zealand, five ODIs
- First ODI
- November 4, 2026
- Domestic competitions
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy or Vijay Hazare Trophy
3 sources
What people are saying
Hopefully, he will come back soon. He will play some domestic cricket. And hopefully we will get him back in the Indian team soon
Hopefully he plays some domestic and gets back. Unfortunate he got a niggle before India A match
Whenever Hardik bhai comes back, no 7/8 will also be taken care of.