Hardik Pandya has joined a new programme at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and has been left out of India’s ODI squad for the England series. The aim is to protect his availability for later assignments, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The all-rounder recently recovered from back spasms suffered during IPL 2026 and then picked up a leg injury.
What the programme offers
A BCCI source said the CoE was mostly a rehab centre for international players, with cricket programmes limited to age-group and zonal camps. Now India players can attend at any time for highly specialised sessions on small details of their game, with a dedicated coaching staff. The scheme focuses on skill development, recovery and workload management for centrally contracted players, and injured players are cleared only after proving full match readiness.
A history of setbacks
Hardik’s latest problems add to others in recent years, including a quadriceps injury at the 2025 Asia Cup that ruled him out of the following Australia tour. Selectors and team management remain careful about his workload, especially his ability to bowl a full 10 overs in ODIs. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has previously said he is being managed with the long term in mind.
The source added that Hardik is clear he will play for India only when at his best physically and in cricketing terms, and does not want to risk his body with the World Cup 16 months away. He contacted the CoE himself and joined the performance block.
His last ODI was the 2025 Champions Trophy final. India have since played 12 ODIs, including a 3-0 home series win over Afghanistan.
