Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the Indian Cricket Committee (BCCI) Selector, has provided a massive update on the fitness of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace bowling spearing Jasprit Bumrah.
Ajit Agarkar made the revelation while speaking at a press conference after the Indian T20I and ODI team were announced on their upcoming tour of Australia.
Hardik Pandya excludes Australia’s tour, Jaspuri Bumra to miss Odis
Major all-around Hardik Pandya has been ruled out from the entire Whiteball series against the Australian National Cricket Team due to injuries.
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In particular, Hardik Pandya picked up a quadriceps injury in the Asian Cup, which India was originally hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pandya was injured ahead of the Asian Cup 2025 final against the Pakistan National Cricket Team. This was a major blow to the Indian National Cricket Team, replaced by Link Sing in Play XI.
However, Shivam Dube handled his pace bowling duties so well that he was not felt, and Tilak Balma broke a sensational half-century, chasing his target to lead India to an epic victory.
Jasprit Bumrah was also part of India’s Asian Cup 2025 campaign, but he didn’t play all of the matches. He was rested for an insignificant match between Oman and Sri Lanka.
Currently, Jasprit Bumrah is featured in a two-match Test series against the West Indies, and will then travel to Australia, but not the entire White Ball series. He was excluded from the ODI team, where Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna are specialized Pacers.
Hardick is not suitable for Australia due to injury – AjitAgarkar
In an interaction with the reporter, Ajit Agarkal said Hardik Pandya will not be able to regain his fitness due to the Australian tour, and he will begin rehabilitation at the BCCI COE next week.
“Hardick isn’t worthy of Australia due to the injury he picked up before the Asian Cup final. I’ll learn more when he starts rehabilitation at COE next week. This series gives Nitish Kumar the opportunity to intervene.”
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We’ve already made him rest for the day’s game – AjitAgarkar
While talking about Jasprit Bumrah, Ajit Agarkar said they had given him a rest from ODI to manage his workload.
“We’ve already made him rest for a day’s game. When we can manage his workload, we do that,” Agarkar said of Bumra.
“Where you can give him a break, you will, because we know how important he is, but we need to see what is for the benefit of the team. And when he needs to play, he is always available, but we bowl not only him, but not just him, but also Shiraj a lot of overs. The risk of injury.”