Hardik Pandya for India [Source: AFP]Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, was recently dropped from the T20I squad, as the selectors want him to focus on the fifty-over format. However, recently, Hardik was also ruled out of the India vs West Indies ODIs, which are set to start from September 27. As per recent developments, Hardik's injury struggles have only worsened, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India is not keen on pressurising him to play important series that might hamper his workload for the future. In contrast, Hardik Pandya was selected for the India A squad, which will play against Australia A in one-day matches and four-day games, with Hardik set to feature in the former.Ahead of the series, as per a recent report, it has been revealed why the selectors have chosen him for the India A game and not for the India team.BCCI concerned with Hardik Pandya's injury for West Indies seriesAs per a recent report from India Today journalist Rahul Rawat, Hardik is expected to remain unavailable for both T20Is as well as ODIs for some time in the future. The selectors were unsure of his fitness for the India A series against Australia too, which already raised concerns about his commitment. However, since Pandya has been marked for a match that begins on October 6, he was definitely not going to play a series like the West Indies series that starts on September 27. Hence, given the longer recovery timeline that Pandya needs, the selectors found it best to keep him out of the Caribbean challenge while giving him some warm-up time by playing for the India A squad, where Ruturaj Gaikwad has also been selected.Also Read- Hardik Pandya Out Of India’s T20I PlansHow can Hardik make the best out of the Australia A challenge?Although Hardik Pandya has been named for the Australia A series, there is no certainty that he will play the one-dayer. However, it will be a significant development in his injury journey, as he has been struggling with it for a long time. He hasn't played a single match since IPL 2026, and it might be a solid chance for him to redeem himself and recover with both his bowling and batting prowess. The Australia A squad features names like Sam Konstas, Josh Philippe, and Lachlan Shaw, with bowling challenges like Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, and Ben Dwarshuis, among others. They pose a solid threat to the Indian all-rounder, and his presence in the ODI match on October 6 might be a boost for himself as well as the India A team, which also has Devdutt Padikkal, Priyansh Arya, and Naman Dhir, among some of the top-order firepowers.Who can replace Hardik Pandya if he continues to struggle with injuries?Hardik’s absence has left India with a noticeable gap in their T20I setup. With no like-for-like replacement available, India have been testing different combinations to replicate the balance Hardik brings as a pace-bowling all-rounder.Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube were both handed opportunities in the Afghanistan T20Is and retained their places for the second game. However, only Nitish produced a dramatic spell of a three-fer to choke Afghanistan in the second T20I, with Dube losing his impact.With Nitish being the most viable choice as of now, Hardik Pandya’s comeback will be eyed by the selectors. Hardik’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball, like in India's T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026, makes his absence even more significant as the player looks forward to taming his injury woes.Also Read- Nitish Kumar Reddy Out Of India Squad for Asian Games 2026
