Why Hardik Pandya dropped from the squad for the Australia tour?

Image Source: X

Why Hardik Pandya dropped from the squad for the Australia tour?: India has announced its T20I squad for the upcoming Australia tour. Hardik Pandya has been omitted from the squad. Nitish Kumar Reddy has replaced Hardik, and Washington Sundar has also been included in the squad.

Furthermore, India has made no changes to the team that won the Asia Cup in the UAE earlier this month. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team, while new ODI captain Shubman Gill will be the vice-captain. Abhishek Sharma is expected to open the batting alongside Gill. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma will be the wicketkeepers.

Why is Hardik Pandya out of the Australia tour?

Image Source: X

Speaking about Hardik's exclusion from the team, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that the all-rounder is still recovering and will begin his rehab at the Centre of Excellence next week. Agarkar believes this will give Nitish Kumar Reddy a chance to make the squad.

Agarkar explained the reason Agarkar said, "Hardik will not be fit for the Australia tour due to an injury he sustained before the Asia Cup final. We will know more when he begins rehab at the COE next week. This series gives Nitish Kumar a chance to step up."

Hardik suffered an injury before the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan and is currently recovering from that injury. He missed the final and also missed the ODI squad due to the injury.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma record as ODI captain, A Look at the Incredible 75% Win Rate

India's T20I squad against Australia

1. Suryakumar Yadav (C)
2. Abhishek Sharma
3. Shubman Gill (VC)
4. Tilak Verma
5. Nitish Kumar Reddy
6. Shivam Dube
7. Axar Patel
8. Jitesh Sharma (WK)
9. Varun Chakravarthy
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Arshdeep Singh
12. Kuldeep Yadav
13. Harshit Rana
14. Sanju Samson (WK)
15. Rinku Singh
16. Washington Sundar

Also Read: Why was Rohit Sharma removed from India ODI captaincy?

---