Hardik Pandya out of ODI series vs. England; Virat Kohli to undergo fitness test at CoE

Hardik Excluded Vs. England; Kohli to undergo fitness test (Image: X) MUMBAI: Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of India’s three-match ODI series in July due to a quadriceps injury, while superstar batsman Virat Kohli is likely to be picked for the series under a ‘subject to fitness’ clause and undergo a fitness test at the BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, TOI in JuneThe squad for the ODI series in England from July 14 to 19 will be selected soon. The three ODIs are scheduled to be played on July 14 in Birmingham, July 16 in Cardiff and July 19 at Lord’s. “The team will be selected in 3-4 days,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told this paper a few days ago.“Hardik has not been able to achieve the necessary bowling volume and fitness required for the ODI format and will require more time to regain full ODI fitness,” a BCCI source told TOI on Saturday.“Kohli is progressing well after suffering a right hamstring injury in IPL-2026 while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has been assessed by the CoE team in London and referred to the program to continue the initial phase of his rehabilitation. He will report to the CoE on June 22 for further re-evaluation and clearance,” the source revealed.Hardik has missed the ongoing home ODI series against Afghanistan due to a quadriceps injury. The 32-year-old all-rounder has been training at the CoE since June 2 and is now undergoing rehabilitation there after suffering a quadriceps injury.Hardik is a key part of Team India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. To stay fit and fresh for the ODIs, the selectors left him out of the T20I squad, but the Mumbai Indians skipper will now have to wait for some time before returning to the format for the first time since the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on March 8.The 37-year-old Kohli has been ruled out of the ongoing ODI series at home against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, replaced by seamer Yashasvi Jaiswal. The superstar bat teleconsulted the famous orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwallu, who is based at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai and is a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon for the BCCI.Kohli sustained a hamstring injury during his unbeaten 75-run knock off 42 balls in the IPL final, which helped RCB chase down 156 against Gujarat Titans and lift them to their second straight IPL title.

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