Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of India's upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a fresh quadriceps injury. The development comes just a day after Hardik Pandya was declared fit and available for selection following assessments at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The all-rounder was expected to make his ODI return after more than a year and had successfully completed fitness tests. Hardik Pandya even bowled a full quota during training sessions, indicating that he was ready for the demands of 50-over cricket. However, the latest injury has once again halted Hardik Pandya's comeback plans.

Hardik Pandya remains one of the most important players in India's white-ball setup because of his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. The absence of Hardik Pandya leaves a significant gap in the squad as the team begins preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup under Gautam Gambhir.

The selection committee will now need to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya ahead of the Afghanistan series. With Virat Kohli already unavailable due to injury, the latest setback raises further concerns about squad availability. India will hope Hardik Pandya recovers quickly and returns to full fitness as plans for future ICC events continue to take shape.