As the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, prepares to announce India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming Australia tour, attention is focused on the ODI and T20I teams. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is a major development, but the absence of Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant due to injuries is equally significant. This tour marks a crucial test for Ajit Agarkar as the new chairman of selectors. India is scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is Down Under, requiring the selection committee to balance experience, current form, and player fitness. The unavailability of Hardik Pandya, who sustained a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup 2025, is a setback. His absence disrupts the team’s balance, opening opportunities for players like Shivam Dube or Nitish Kumar Reddy. There is cautious optimism regarding Pandya’s recovery, with a potential return for the T20I series. Rishabh Pant is also sidelined due to a toe fracture sustained during the England tour. While Pant has resumed light training, the selectors are unlikely to rush his comeback. The expectation is that Pant will return during the South Africa tour of India in November. In the meantime, the wicketkeeping duties will likely be rotated between KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Sharma. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli raises selection questions. The committee must decide how to balance the team without Pandya and Pant. The squad announcement will offer insights into the future of Indian white-ball cricket.
