Hardik Pandya could remain unavailable for competitive cricket until the 2027 Indian Premier League, with his recovery from a calf injury continuing without a confirmed return date. The India allrounder is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, and his comeback will depend on how he progresses through the prescribed fitness programme, Dainik Jagran reported. Pandya, 32, has been recovering from a stress injury on the inner side of his calf. According to the report, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala reviewed the cricketer’s medical reports last week. The rehabilitation process is being managed cautiously, with the immediate priority being a gradual return to physical activity rather than setting a deadline for competitive cricket. Recovery plan offers no immediate return date Pandya is expected to start jogging after three weeks, according to the reported rehabilitation schedule. His running workload will then increase progressively over the following eight weeks, while strength training is also being intensified carefully under medical guidance to avoid aggravating the injured area. However, there is still no established timeline for the allrounder to regain full match fitness. If his recovery extends into next year, the IPL, expected to begin in March 2027, could become his next opportunity to return to action. Read also: 3 Things India Need to Fix Ahead of New Zealand T20I Series India fixtures slip away during extended absence The prolonged recovery could also rule Pandya out of India's upcoming assignments against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. He was not selected for the New Zealand tour either. The Sri Lanka white-ball series is scheduled to begin on December 13, while the ODI series against Zimbabwe is due to start on January 3. Pandya last played competitive cricket for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026 in May. His most recent international appearance came in the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup in March. His injury has already cost him several assignments this year, including three ODIs against Afghanistan, tours of Ireland and England featuring 11 matches, five T20Is in Zimbabwe, three T20Is against Afghanistan in New Delhi, and the home white-ball series against West Indies comprising three ODIs and five T20Is. He also missed the 2026 Asian Games and a historic one-off T20I against Japan. With his rehabilitation still underway, Pandya's immediate focus remains on recovery, leaving his return dependent on medical progress rather than a fixed schedule.