The new BCCI selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar will have its first test today. The chairmen of selectors will name India’s white-ball squads for the Australian tour Down Under. While the T20I team would largely be unchanged after a successful Asia Cup campaign, all eyes would be on the one-day selection, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning. While the two pillars of Indian team would mark their comeback for the first time since ODI Champions Trophy, questions linger over other spots too.
Injuries to Hardik Pandya & Rishabh Pant
While Rishabh Pant is still a backup keeper in the format, Hardik Pandya is an integral part. On spin-friendly decks in Dubai, he even shared the new ball, something that we recently saw in the Asia Cup too. However, unfortunately, injury halted Pandya’s campaign as he didn’t even play the summit clash against Pakistan as well.
Pandya missed the final due to a quadriceps injury. Since it is a leg injury, it takes time to heal, and according to reports, he will not make it to the ODI squad. However, with the T20I series being 5 matches long, Pandya might return there. India would look at Nitish Kumar Reddy or Shivam Dube to fill in for Pandya in the ODIs.
Another player who is obviously going to miss out is Rishabh Pant. The southpaw fractured his toe while attempting a reverse scoop off Chris Woakes during the fourth Test in Manchester. While India somehow saved the Test and also the series, Pant was ruled out of action for a couple of months.
He missed the fifth England Test, the Delhi Premier League 2025, the Asia Cup and the India vs West Indies Tests too. While he is back on the field (golf field), Pant looks destined to come back soon. However, he might have to wait till November, as the BCCI might not take any risks. South Africa’s tour of India is when Pant is likely to make his much-awaited comeback.
What about Mohammed Shami?
India didn’t have Jasprit Bumrah at the ODI Champions Trophy 2025. But they desperately needed an experienced pacer to spearhead the attack. Hence, they brought in Mohammed Shami in the eleventh hour, who was making a return after a long hiatus himself.
While Shami turned out to be India’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 9 scalps, he never looked in a lethal rhythm. Shami, who is one of India’s best pacers when it comes to ICC tournaments, is highly likely not to find a place in the ODI setup. He was overlooked in the Asia Cup and at the West Indies Test series too. A question about Shami was also asked to Ajit Agarkar, who was straightforward about Shami needing to prove his fitness and form first in domestic games in order to be in contention.
