As the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee gears up to name India’s white-ball squads for the high-profile Australia tour, all eyes are on the ODI and T20I line-ups that will shape the upcoming season. While the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli marks a major development, the exclusion of Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant due to injury is just as significant – and telling.
A New-Look Committee, A Familiar Challenge
This will be the first major test for Ajit Agarkar as chairman of selectors, and the timing couldn’t be more crucial. With India set to play three ODIs and five T20Is Down Under, the selection committee has to balance experience, current form, and player fitness – especially with marquee names under recovery.
Hardik Pandya’s Absence: A Strategic Setback
Perhaps the biggest setback for India in the short term is the unavailability of Hardik Pandya, who suffered a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup 2025. The all-rounder was forced to sit out the final against Pakistan and hasn’t recovered fully since.
Pandya’s role in India’s white-ball setup has grown exponentially – not just as a power-hitter and finisher, but also as a reliable bowling option who can share the new ball when needed, as seen in Dubai. His absence will not only disrupt the team’s balance but also open up opportunities for others like Shivam Dube or Nitish Kumar Reddy to step in.
That said, there is cautious optimism around his recovery. With five T20Is scheduled against Australia, there’s a chance Pandya could return for the shorter format, depending on his fitness progress over the coming weeks.
Rishabh Pant: A Comeback Deferred
Another star who will be sidelined is Rishabh Pant. The dynamic left-hander fractured his toe while attempting a reverse scoop off Chris Woakes during the fourth Test of India’s England tour in Manchester – a moment that changed the course of his season.
Though Pant has resumed light training (and even found time for a round of golf), the selectors are unlikely to rush him back. He has already missed the fifth England Test, the Delhi Premier League 2025, the Asia Cup, and the India vs West Indies Test series.
The current belief is that Pant could make his international comeback during the South Africa tour of India in November. Until then, the gloves in the white-ball formats are expected to be rotated between KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Sharma, depending on the format and strategy.
Rohit & Kohli Return, But Many Questions Remain
While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are all but certain to return to the ODI squad – marking their first appearance since the ODI Champions Trophy – their comeback also raises selection headaches.
How do you balance the XI without Pandya and Pant? Will someone like Tilak Varma or Rinku Singh now get more responsibility in the middle order? Will Washington Sundar be considered for his all-round abilities?
Agarkar and his team have a big call to make – one that could define the tone of India’s long white-ball season ahead.
Injuries are part of the game, but losing two of your most versatile players – Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant, ahead of a key overseas tour is far from ideal. Still, it opens the door for new faces to step up and gives the selectors a real chance to test India’s bench strength in challenging Australian conditions.
The squad announcement will not just reveal a team – it will offer a glimpse into the future roadmap of Indian white-ball cricket under a new selection regime.
Also Read: India tour of Australia 2025: Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill likely to be rested for ODIs – Reports
