India vs Australia 2019: Hardik Pandya Ruled Out Due to Lower-Back Stiffness; Replacement Announced
Published - 21 Feb 2019, 03:53 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 05:52 AM
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India suffered a huge setback ahead of the Australia series, as star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya got ruled out due to a lower-back stiffness. The BCCI was quick in announcing Ravindra Jadeja as his replacement for the ODIs. Meanwhile, Australia is scheduled to tour India for two T20Is, and five ODIs, which begins on February 24th in Vizag.
Earlier, the BCCI had announced the squads for the Australia T20Is, ODIs; where Hardik Pandya’s name was present on the list. Now, in his absence, Vijay Shankar could get roped in the XI for India’s final international assignment in their lead up to the 2019 World Cup.
Woes keeping on piling for Pandya
Hardik didn’t have the best of starts to 2019. Though his contemporaries were making a name for themselves, Pandya put a dent on his own. Meanwhile, he and KL Rahul appeared on a famous TV show – Koffee with Karan, where their conduct got questioned. As a result, the CoA and the BCCI called them home before Australia, New Zealand tour began.
Further, they both got suspended, and an inquiry was set up to look in the matter. Later, the governing body allowed Pandya to feature in the second half of the NZ series – where the all-rounder scored a few runs to gain confidence. As he was getting into his groove, the Baroda player suffered a lower-back stiffness, as reported by the BCCI.
NEWS: Hardik Pandya ruled out of Paytm Australia’s tour of India due to lower back stiffness. @imjadeja has been named replacement for Hardik Pandya for the 5 ODIs #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/l8DUOuDlU3
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 21, 2019
Jadeja, Shankar eye vacant spot
The MSK Prasad-led selection committee had already penned down 18 chosen players for cricket’s showpiece event. Though Shankar happens to be in the scheme of things, spin bowling all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja didn’t appear to seal a spot in India’s 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup. As Pandya is all but out, an opportunity has arrived for both the players to make the most of it.
India’s squad for Australia T20Is –
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mayank Markande
India’s squad for first two Australia ODIs –
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Siddarth Kaul, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja
India’s squad for final three Australia ODIs –
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja
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