India’s preparations for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Australia have suffered a significant blow, with star all-rounder Hardik Pandya expected to miss the entire series due to a left quadriceps injury sustained during the Asia Cup 2025. The injury occurred in the penultimate match against Sri Lanka in Dubai, where Pandya bowled just one over before leaving the field in discomfort.
He subsequently missed the final against Pakistan, where Shivam Dube stepped into his role. While early indications suggested a minor setback, recent assessments point to a more serious issue. Pandya is now expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks and will undergo rehabilitation to regain full fitness.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team is closely monitoring his recovery and is set to submit a report soon. Though he is likely to miss the ODIs, there remains cautious optimism about his potential return for the T20I series that follows. A final decision on his T20I availability will be made closer to the series, depending on his recovery progress.
Pandya’s absence poses a major challenge for team India, particularly in terms of squad balance. His dual-role capability as a hard-hitting lower-order batter and a reliable seam option has been instrumental in recent campaigns. Most notably, during both the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup 2025, Pandya played a pivotal role as the second pacer, providing strategic depth and flexibility.
Without him, India’s plans in Australia, where pace and bounce play a larger role, could be compromised. Pandya’s ability to bowl at a sharp pace with back-of-a-length deliveries into the body makes him a potent weapon, especially in powerplay and middle overs. His absence will likely force the team management to look towards alternatives such as Shivam Dube or Nitish Kumar Reddy.
However, neither replacement offers the same value with the ball, especially in Australian conditions. While their batting potential in the middle or lower order is acknowledged, the lack of bowling penetration from either player limits India’s tactical options.
That said, the upcoming series may offer a silver lining: a rare opportunity to test backup all-rounders in the 50-over format. With the 2027 World Cup in mind, the ODIs against Australia could serve as a useful platform for building depth and resilience in India’s white-ball squad, even if the absence of Hardik Pandya will be deeply felt.
