Hardik Pandya ruled out of New Zealand Test series

Mumbai: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand after failing to recover from the back injury, BCCI announced on Saturday.

The 26-year-old all-rounder failed to prove his match readiness post a back surgery. Hardik underwent surgery in London on October 5 to treat a chronic problem and had retained hope of participating during the New Zealand series.

''He (Hardik) travelled to London and was accompanied by NCA Head Physio Ashish Kaushik for a review by spinal surgeon Dr James Allibone,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

“Pandya will be under rehab at the National Cricket Academy until he regains full match fitness,” he added.

Hardik, who played the last of his 11 Tests for India in July 2018, had complained of a back problem at the Asia Cup 2018. He was also ruled out of the T20Is and ODIs against Australia at home last year because of lower back stiffness.

The decision to push for surgery was eventually taken in late September in consultation with Team India physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar. Hardik had returned to the national side for the South Africa T20Is after being rested in India's post-World Cup assignment in the Caribbean.

He subsequently missed the T20Is and Tests against Bangladesh, the white-ball series against West Indies, Australia and New Zealand.

India, who will play two World Test Championship games in Wellington and Christchurch starting February 21, are already worried about the fitness of lead seamer Ishant Sharma, who suffered an ankle injury during a Ranji Trophy game against Vidarbha in early January. (UNI)