Ajit Agarkar drops colossal fitness update on Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chairman of the selectors, Ajit Agarkar, has provided a massive update on the fitness of the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Ajit Agarkar made the revelations while speaking to the reporters at the press conference after the India T20I and ODI squads were announced for the upcoming Australia tour.

Hardik Pandya ruled out of Australia tour, Jasprit Bumrah to miss ODIs

The premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the entire white-ball series against the Australia National Cricket Team due to an injury.

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Notably, Hardik Pandya picked up a quadriceps injury during the recent edition of the Asia Cup, which was played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with India being the original hosts.

Pandya got injured ahead of the final of the Asia Cup 2025 against the Pakistan National Cricket Team, which was a massive blow for the India National Cricket Team, and was replaced by Rinku Singh in the playing XI.

However, his absence wasn't felt as Shivam Dube handled the pace-bowling duties very well, and Tilak Varma smashed a sensational half-century while chasing the target to steer India to an epic win.

Jasprit Bumrah was also part of India's Asia Cup 2025-winning campaign, but didn't play all the matches. He was rested for the inconsequential matches against Oman and Sri Lanka.

Currently, Jasprit Bumrah is featuring in the two-match Test series against West Indies and will next travel to Australia, but not for the whole white-ball series. He has been left out of the ODI squad with Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna being specialist pacers.

Hardik won’t be fit for Australia due to the injury - Ajit Agarkar

In an interaction with the reporters, Ajit Agarkar said that Hardik Pandya won't be able to regain fitness for the Australia tour, and he will start his rehabilitation next week at the BCCI CoE.

“Hardik won’t be fit for Australia due to the injury he picked up before the Asia Cup final. We’ll know more once he starts rehab at the COE next week. This series gives Nitish Kumar an opportunity to step in,” said Ajit Agarkar.

Also Read: India dodge major controversy with Pakistan before Women’s World Cup clash

We have already rested him for the one-day games - Ajit Agarkar

While talking about Jasprit Bumrah, Ajit Agarkar said that they have rested him from ODIs to manage his workload.

"We have already rested him for the one-day games. When we can manage his workload, we will do that," Agarkar said about Bumrah.

"Wherever you can give him a break, you will, because we all know how important he is, but we have also got to see what is in the interest of the team. And when we need him to play, he is always available, but we will look after [him]. Not just him, Siraj bowls a lot of overs as well. There are other guys who do play Test cricket, who will end up having a lot of bowling to do, so we will try and manage all the seamers, so that we minimise the risk of injuries."