Mumbai: Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar has clarified the reasoning behind the non-inclusion of Asia Cup hero Tilak Varma and fellow youngster Abhishek Sharma in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, stressing that the selection was based on balance and squad size, not on form.
The BCCI announced India’s squads on Saturday for the white-ball tour of Australia, which will feature three ODIs and five T20Is. Despite being named Player of the Match in the Asia Cup final, Tilak Varma failed to find a spot in the ODI lineup, a decision that sparked debate among fans and experts.
Speaking at the squad announcement press conference, Agarkar underlined that the limited number of matches didn’t warrant experimenting with too many players.
“Tilak was very close to selection,” Agarkar said. “But we have taken a 15-man squad as it’s just a three-match series, not a long Test series where you can afford to carry a few extra players. Rohit (Sharma) and (Shubman) Gill are likely to open, and we have Yashasvi Jaiswal too people tend to forget how good he is.”
The chief selector further noted that India wouldn’t be making wholesale changes during such a short assignment. “You may not need more than the 15 we’ve picked, and you won’t rotate too much across three games,” he added.
Agarkar also clarified that Ravindra Jadeja remains very much in India’s ODI plans, even though he was not picked for the Australian leg. Jadeja, who played a decisive role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year, was left out due to the fast and bouncy nature of Australian pitches.
“To take two left-arm spinners to Australia is not possible,” Agarkar explained. “But Jadeja is clearly in the scheme of things. He was part of the Champions Trophy squad because those conditions allowed for extra spinners. For Australia, we’ve gone with Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar for balance.”
Praising Jadeja’s all-round value, Agarkar added, “Jaddu offers us everything batting, bowling, and exceptional fielding. There’s no question about his place in our future plans.”
The selector also provided an update on Hardik Pandya, who missed the Asia Cup final due to a quadriceps injury. “Hardik isn’t fit for the Australia tour,” Agarkar confirmed. “He’s set to begin his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence within a week. Once he starts his rehab, we’ll have a clearer idea of his recovery timeline.”
India’s pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will also be carefully managed over the next few months. Bumrah, who is rested for the ODIs but part of the T20I squad, will have his workload monitored alongside other Test regulars.
“There’s always a plan to give Bumrah rest when possible because we know how crucial he is,” Agarkar said. “Siraj bowls a lot of overs as well. We’re trying to manage the workload of all seamers to minimize the risk of injuries.”
The selection committee also introduced two fresh faces to the ODI setup Nitish Reddy and Dhruv Jurel. Agarkar said Reddy’s inclusion was meant to assess his potential as a fast-bowling all-rounder. “Reddy has shown promise, especially in red-ball cricket. We want to see what he can bring to the white-ball format,” Agarkar noted.
On Dhruv Jurel’s maiden ODI call-up, Agarkar said the wicketkeeper-batter was chosen based on his ability to bat lower in the order. “Sanju Samson bats at the top; Jurel and KL (Rahul) can handle middle and lower positions. We’re looking to identify players for specific roles, not just names,” he explained.
Agarkar reiterated the BCCI’s firm stance that all available players must feature in domestic tournaments when not on national duty.
“We’ve made it clear whenever players are available, they must play domestic cricket,” Agarkar emphasized. “That’s the only way to stay sharp and in rhythm.”
As India prepare to face Australia Down Under, the selectors have opted for a pragmatic mix of experience and form, emphasizing continuity over experimentation. While Tilak Varma’s omission may have raised eyebrows, Agarkar’s message was clear: this isn’t the end of opportunities just a matter of timing and team balance.