India vs Australia | Hardik Pandya to miss limited overs series against Australia

With India scheduled to play two T20Is and five ODIs against the Aussies starting from February 24, the Men in Blue will be missing the services of all-rounder Hardik Pandya in both the formats of the game. According to the information by the BCCI, the all-rounder has been having a lower back stiffness with the medical team asking him to undergo strength and conditioning work at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

“Team India all-rounder Mr. Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the forthcoming T20I & ODI series against Australia due to lower back stiffness,” read the press release from the BCCI.

“The BCCI Medical team decided to rest the all-rounder and let him undergo strength and conditioning work for his lower back at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Mr. Pandya will begin his strength work from next week.”

Meanwhile, the board has decided to go into the T20Is with a 14-man squad but for the one-day games, they have called in left-handed Saurashtra all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in place of the pace-bowling all-rounder.

“The T20I squad will now consist of 14 members. Mr. Ravindra Jadeja has been named replacement for Hardik Pandya for the 5 ODIs,” added the BCCI press release.