India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has once again found himself on the sidelines due to injury concerns. The Baroda star recently missed the ODI series against Afghanistan and has also been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against England in July.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif expressed concern over Hardik’s recurring fitness issues. Kaif said the all-rounder has not looked the same since suffering an injury in 2023. He also admitted that while Hardik remains one of India’s biggest match-winners, there is uncertainty over whether he will be able to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif questioned the lack of clarity surrounding Hardik’s injuries and called for more transparency from the Indian team management.
“I cannot take the guarantee of him. Even I do not understand his case. He is such a big match-winner. No one is close to him as an all-rounder in the current lot. He also knows this. But his body is fragile. He was injured in 2023 as well, and after that it has not been the same. There are no talks about his injury and any proper reasons given, though. I do not know what is being said or what the official reason is. You tell me if you know. We only know through sources,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“Fans also have the right to know exactly what has happened, and we need more transparency. This has been the case with Hardik throughout his career. There are always questions about his injury as to what has happened exactly and why he is missing out,” he added.
Kaif backs Jaiswal for all-format success
Kaif also spoke about young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was left out of India’s ODI squad for the England series despite scoring a century in his last ODI against Afghanistan.
The former batter supported the selectors’ decision to pick Ishan Kishan. He pointed out that Kishan offers flexibility in the middle order and can also serve as a backup wicketkeeper. However, Kaif believes Jaiswal has a bright future across all three formats.
“Jaiswal will play. He will be an all-format player. His time will come too. Agarkar had said they can select only 15 players, and I agree with him. We have a lot of solid players, and a few people will always miss out like this. They had to pick either Jaiswal or Ishan Kishan. Kishan got the nod because he can bat in the middle as well. Jaiswal is a proper opener. And Kishan can be a backup wicket-keeper as well. Also, Gambhir wants Kishan to be there. That liking is there too. I said this the last time as well. His form is good too, so I agree with the call. Jaiswal will have to wait a bit,” Kaif stated.
Jaiswal remains one of India’s most promising young batters. While he may have to wait for another ODI opportunity, Kaif is confident that the left-hander will eventually become a regular across all formats for India.
