India’s selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is preparing to unveil the white-ball squads for the highly anticipated Australia tour. The focus is on the ODI and T20I teams. The inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is a welcome development, but the absence of Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant due to injury is a major concern. This tour presents the first significant test for Ajit Agarkar as chairman of selectors. The committee must balance experience, current form, and player fitness, particularly with key players recovering. Hardik Pandya’s absence is a setback. He sustained a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup 2025 and is still recovering. Pandya’s role as an all-rounder is critical. His absence disrupts the team’s balance, giving opportunities to players like Shivam Dube or Nitish Kumar Reddy. There’s a possibility of Pandya returning for the T20I series. Rishabh Pant is also ruled out due to a toe fracture. Selectors are unlikely to rush his return, with a potential comeback during the South Africa tour in November. KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Sharma are likely to share wicketkeeping duties. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli complicates the selection process. The committee faces tough choices in balancing the team without Pandya and Pant. The squad announcement will reveal insights into the future direction of Indian white-ball cricket under the new selection regime.
