India coach will not rush Hardik Pandya back as allrounder returns from injury

Pandya has been included in the India A squad that will take on Australia A in a one-day series, which will be his first games since taking part in the IPL in May.

The 32-year-old is an important member of the India's 50-over side as the senior seam-bolwing allrounder heading into the 2027 ODI World Cup that will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Nitish Kumar Reddy has ben added to India's squad for the upcoming ODI series at home against West Indies after putting decent performances against Afghanistan.

Gambhir said: "We know how important seam-bowling allrounders will be in a year's time when we go to South Africa, and the more the merrier. And once Hardik comes back, obviously, it's going to be good. Sometimes we could even go on to play both of them in the playing XI.

"But again, Hardik, at the moment, if he cannot bowl ten overs and he hasn't played a lot of cricket since the IPL, we don't want to push him into international cricket, because international cricket can be extremely tough on your body as well.

"So if he plays that India A series, he'll get some game time as well. And that was the clear message to him: if he can play that A series and then if everything goes well, he can come back and be part of the T20s and the one-day squad as well."

VVS Laxman has been appointed India's head coach for the Asian Games, with Gambhir staying with the ODI side for the series against West Indies from September 27 to October 3, followed by the five T20Is against the same opponents, starting from 6 October.

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