Blow for India! Hardik Pandya ruled out of Australia tour, replacement finalized

The India National Cricket Team is facing a fresh challenge ahead of their white-ball tour of Australia, as there is no positive update on the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s recovery from his left quadriceps injury. This injury has already forced Hardik Pandya to miss the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan.

Now, it has raised questions about the Indian all-rounder’s availability for the upcoming three-match T20I and three-match ODI series in Australia. As reported by ESPNCricinfo, Hardik Pandya is highly unlikely to make it to the flight for Australia with the Men in Blue this month.

Hardik Pandya doubtful for Australia tour, India Scrambles for all-rounder backup

Hardik’s absence has left a big hole in the white-ball squads, especially in the seam-bowling all-rounder department. The Indian selectors are now considering the rising talent Nitish Kumar Reddy as a possible option to join Shivam Dube in the T20I squad for the Australia tour.

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As of now, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is currently playing in the ongoing India-West Indies Test series, is seen as a replacement for Hardik Pandya for the upcoming T20I series in Australia. But the biggest headache is finding Hardik’s replacement for the ODI series Down Under.

While Shivam Dube last played an ODI over a year ago in Sri Lanka, Reddy is yet to make his debut in the 50-over format. With the ICC World Cup 2027 scheduled in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, India is keen to identify reliable backups for Hardik Pandya in advance.

It is being said that India’s upcoming tour of Australia will be the perfect testing ground for the next seam-bowling all-rounders, and the selectors are ready to make some surprising calls next week.

India eyes big changes in all-rounders ahead of Australia tour

Meanwhile, India’s upcoming tour of Australia could see some big changes in the team, especially in the all-rounders department. In recent ODI and T20I squads, India relied heavily on spin all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, with Riyan Parag as a standby.

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But Australian pitches are not easy for spinners, so the team may look to try seam-bowling all-rounders instead in the upcoming white-ball series. Australia’s conditions favor pace and fast bowlers, so India may want a mix of batting all-rounders and seamers rather than relying only on spin all-rounders.

Riyan Parag has been in good form, scoring 67 and 58 in two List A games for India A against Australia A this week. Tilak Varma is also making a strong case after his 94 in the second white-ball match against Australia A, following his excellent performance in the Asia Cup 2025 final.

Riyan Parag and Mohammed Siraj set for ODI return

It is being said that both Tilak Varma and Riyal Parag could be picked in the ODI squad for the Australia tour. Additionally, the seasoned fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who hasn’t played an ODI since Sri Lanka over a year ago, is in contention for the India return on the Australia tour.

Siraj’s experience and pace could give India a strong boost in the bowling attack. Prasidh Krishna is another fast-bowling option, known for his aggressive, hit-the-deck style. He is likely to become the third seamer in the T20I squad, providing India with extra firepower.