IND vs SA: Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss South Africa ODI series
Following the conclusion of the ongoing two-match test series between India and South Africa, a three-match ODI series will be played between the same two teams from November 30. The Indian cricket fans are eagerly awaiting this series. Because in this series, once again, they will see the two greats of the game, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The ODI squad will be announced in a couple of days for this upcoming ODI series. However, according to reports, Team India will enter this series without their ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, and star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya.
The Indian ODI setup is already missing the availability of vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who is currently recovering from the injury which occurred during the Australia ODI series. While skipper Shubman Gill could also miss the series due to his recently sustained neck injury.
The reason for the exclusion of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah is not confirmed, but as per reports, they will be on the rest in this upcoming cricket series (3 ODIs) and feature in the upcoming 5-match T20 series, which is set to commence on December 09.
Next year, India will host the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka. And keeping this in mind, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are expected to focus only on T20 matches for now. Bumrah also plays in the test matches. But Hardik’s focus is only on limited-overs cricket. Hardik Pandya featured last time during the Asia Cup 2025, when he played against Sri Lanka in a Super-4 match, where he sustained a quadriceps injury, which caused him to miss the Asia Cup 2025 final match against Pakistan and the recently concluded T20I and ODI series during the Australia Tour.
"Hardik is recovering well from his quadriceps injury at the moment. He is at the Centre of Excellence doing his RTP (Return To Play) routines. As of now, returning from quadriceps injury, he needs to build up his workload and straightaway playing 50 overs will be risky. Till the T20 World Cup, the BCCI medical team and Hardik would focus on T20Is," as per BCCI source.
Shubman Gill likely to miss the second test
Indian Test & ODI skipper Shubman Gill, who is currently recovering from his neck injury, which occurred during the first Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It is almost confirmed that he will miss the second test match of the series, which will be held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on November 22. In the absence of Gill, Rishabh Pant will lead the side, and Sai Sudharasan will be included in the India playing XI.
It is still unclear whether he will feature in the ODI series or not. If he misses the ODI series, the Indian team management will recruit a new skipper for that series. Shreyas Iyer, vice-captain, has already been ruled out of the series.
The Indian team is currently trailing the series by 0-1. In a low-scoring thriller, South Africa defeated them in the first test by 30 runs. The Indian team is now eyeing levelling up the series, while the Proteas side is looking to secure their second series victory on Indian soil.
