Hardik Pandya ruled out of Australia series, Jadeja named as replacement for ODIs

Ravindra Jadeja, who was not included in India's side for the New Zealand series has been named as Pandya’s replacement for the five-match ODI series but no replacement was named for the T20 series preceding it.

In a huge blow to India, ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya was on Thursday ruled out of the entire limited overs series against Australia starting from February 24 with the two-match T20I series. Ravindra Jadeja, who did not play a single match in the New Zealand series, has been named as Pandya’s replacement for the five-match ODI series but no replacement was named for the T20 series preceding it.

Pandya’s lower back injury which kept him away from cricket for about three months apparently has returned to haunt him. He had sustained the injury during an Asia Cup game against Pakistan in September. “Hardik Pandya ruled out of Australia’s tour of India due to lower back stiffness. Jadeja has been named a replacement for Hardik Pandya for the 5 ODIs,” BCCI announced.

Pandya had returned to international cricket last month when he was immediately drafted into India’s playing XI for the third ODI against New Zealand. He had missed the entire Australia series despite being fit because of an off the field incident that prompted BCCI to suspend him and KL Rahul pending inquiry. Later on, the suspension was provisionally revoked and both Pandya and Rahul were allowed to play.

Interestingly, Pandya’s injury came on the same day the Supreme Court was about to announce a verdict on the appointment of a BCCI ombudsman to complete Pandya and Rahul’s inquiry.

Pandya's injury has provided a golden opportunity to Ravindra Jadeja to have a crack at the third spinner's slot for World Cup. Jadeja fell behind in the spinners' race after he was not considered for any of the five ODIs or three T20Is in New Zealand. Further, he was left out of both the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia series. 

Vijay Shankar is another man who would look to seize this opportunity. Shankar suddenly emerged as a contender for a World Cup spot after registering decent scores in New Zealand. He batted at No. 3 in two of three T20Is in New Zeland. In Pandya's absence, Shankar would also play a key role with the ball in the Australia series. 

India will host Australia for two T20s and five ODIs, starting Saturday in Visakhapatnam. The second T20 will be played in Bengaluru on February 27.
The five ODIs will be staged in Hyderabad (March 2), Nagpur (March 5), Ranchi (March 8), Mohali (March 10) and Delhi (March 13). This will be India’s last assignment before the ODI World Cup in England starting on May 30.