India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final clash against Pakistan due to a quadriceps injury. Pandya sustained the injury at the Super Fours stage and did not make it to the final. Now, he faces a race against time to be fit for the ODI series against Australia starting on October 19. As a report by Dainik Jagran, the star all-rounder is highly likely to miss the ODI series.
The three-ODI series will begin on October 19 at Perth Stadium. The remaining two ODIs will be played on October 23 and 25 at Adelaide Oval and Sydney Cricket Ground respectively.
The extent of Pandya’s injury is still unclear. If he recovers in a few weeks’ time, he may join the Suryakumar Yadav-led side in Australia for the five-T20I series which begins on October 29 at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
Who can replace Pandya in ODI squad for Australia tour?
Pandya’s absence will be a major setback for India on the Australia tour where the visitors need a fast-bowling all-rounder. The selectors may opt for an in-form Shivam Dube who was exceptional with the bat and ball in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final. Another option is Nitish Kumar Reddy who is yet to make his ODI debut. Reddy made his Test debut in Australia and scored a century in Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Rohit, Kohli’s return
India’s squad for the three-ODI series is yet to be announced. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to be in action in the international arena for the first time since India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph. The senior duo retired from T20Is last year after lifting the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy and bid goodbye to Test cricket, months after an unsuccessful Test series on Australian soil.
ODI debut for Abhishek? Will Samson return?
There have also been reports that Abhishek Sharma will be handed his maiden ODI call-up on the back of his performances in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 where he finished as the highest run-scorer with a strike rate over 200. Also, Sanju Samson may return to the ODI side as Rishabh Pant is yet to recover from the foot injury he suffered in the Manchester Test on England tour.