'He Cannot Bowl 10 Overs Yet': Why Hardik Pandya Was Not Selected for Team India? Gautam Gambhir Explains

Hardik Pandya's Team India Return Still on Hold

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya continues to wait for his return to international cricket. His absence from the recently announced squads has raised questions about when the star all-rounder will be back in India's white-ball setup.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has now provided an update on Hardik's fitness and made it clear that the team does not want to rush him back into international cricket.

Following India's 3-0 T20I series victory over Afghanistan, Gambhir said that Hardik is currently not able to bowl 10 overs, an important requirement for his role as an all-rounder in ODI cricket.

Why Is Bowling Fitness So Important?

Hardik is not being viewed simply as a batter. The Indian team management wants him to return as a genuine all-rounder who can make a meaningful contribution with both bat and ball.

Gambhir indicated that Hardik's return will therefore depend on his ability to bowl adequately rather than simply being fit enough to bat.

This is particularly relevant in ODI cricket, where a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder can provide balance to the playing XI.

No Rush for International Comeback

Gambhir stressed that India does not want to bring Hardik back prematurely.

The coach also indicated that once Hardik is fully fit, there could be a possibility of playing him alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, giving India another option in the all-rounder combination.

The approach suggests that the team is prioritising match fitness and bowling workload before handing Hardik another international assignment.

Hardik Included in India A Squad

While Hardik was not selected for India's recent international squads, he has been included in the India A squad for the ODI series against Australia A in Puducherry.

However, his participation is subject to final fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

The India A assignment could provide Hardik with an opportunity to regain competitive match practice before returning to the senior international side.

Hardik Has Had a Difficult Fitness Period

Hardik has been away from competitive cricket for an extended period following IPL 2026. He was selected for India's ODI series against Afghanistan in June but withdrew before the series because of a leg injury.

His fitness situation subsequently became an important factor in India's squad selections.

He was also not included in India's squads for the 2026 Asian Games and the recently announced limited-overs series against West Indies.

What Does This Mean for Hardik's Comeback?

The current picture is that Hardik's international comeback is linked closely to his bowling fitness.

The team management appears to want him to demonstrate that he can handle the workload expected from an all-rounder before returning to international cricket. His India A opportunity could therefore be an important step in assessing his match readiness.

At the same time, Gambhir has indicated that Hardik remains part of the team's plans once he is fit.

For now, the key question surrounding Hardik Pandya is not simply whether he can bat, but whether he can consistently bowl at the required workload.