India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unlikely to be available for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, starting November 23, as he needs more time to recover from a left-ankle ligament tear.
The team for the home T20I series against Australia will likely be announced only after India's World Cup semi-final, which is expected to be played in Mumbai on November 15.
BCCI sources believe Hardik is more likely to be fit for the South Africa T20I series, which starts on December 10 in Durban.
"There is some time before Hardik can be declared fit and available for selection. It would be more practical for him to try and complete his rehabilitation with a possible 'RTP' (Return To Play) during SA series. It will certainly be NCA Sports science team's call," a senior BCCI source privy to the developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
With the ODI World Cup currently underway, either Suryakumar Yadav, the designated vice-captain of the T20I side, or Asian Games gold-winning skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to lead India in the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, starting November 23.
Suryakumar, India's vice-captain for T20Is, is the frontrunner to lead the team in the upcoming five-match series against Australia. He is being groomed as a two-format white-ball specialist, while the pace bowlers need to be rested for the Test series against Australia. White-ball specialists from India (particularly batters) can play 25-30 games per year across two white-ball formats in addition to the IPL, if they are fit. Therefore, Yadav is the favorite to lead the team if he does not request rest. If he does, Ruturaj Gaikwad is the next-best option.
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