The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled India’s squad for the upcoming ODI sequence in opposition to South Africa, making 4 adjustments from the Australia sequence.
Whereas the return of Rishabh Pant has dominated discussions, absence of a number of established gamers has sparked debate. Let’s take a look at three large names from Staff India who have not been picked from IND vs SA ODIs.
Hardik Pandya Nonetheless Not Match?
One of many greatest speaking factors is the continued absence of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder suffered damage throughout 2025 Asia Cup, which dominated him out of Australia tour. Since then, he has been present process rehabilitation on the Middle of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Hardik was anticipated to return for South Africa ODIs, however his identify is lacking once more. With BCCI providing no health replace, it stays unclear whether or not he’s nonetheless recovering or being rested as a long-term precaution. A number of stories counsel that the board might choose utilizing Hardik primarily in T20Is to maintain him recent for the 2026 T20 World Cuphowever readability will come solely when the T20I squad for this tour is introduced.
Axar Patel & Mohammed Siraj: Rested or Dropped?
The exclusion of Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj has additionally stunned many. Axar was one in all India’s greatest performers in Australia, choosing up three wickets and scoring 75 runs, the second-highest after Rohit Sharma. His rising position as a spin-hitting middle-order batter makes his omission much more puzzling. Workload administration may very well be an element, however the BCCI has not confirmed this.
Siraj, in the meantime, had a tricky outing in Australia. Though he now not options in T20Is, he stays a key a part of India’s Take a look at setup. The selectors might have opted to attempt Prasidh Krishna in ODIs, particularly with the following World Cup two years away.
Varun Chakaravarthy Out of Plans?
Varun Chakaravarthy, who excelled in the course of the 2025 Champions Trophy on spin-heavy UAE pitches, has as soon as once more been missed. With circumstances in South Africa not anticipated to assist spin, the selectors might view him as a conditions-based specialist quite than a daily squad member.