The BCCI recently announced the squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, and while fans are excited, there are a few eyebrows raised over some missing big names. It’s not just about who made the cut, but who didn’t. Let’s break down why stars like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and others are missing from the flight to South Africa.

The Mystery of Hardik Pandya

The biggest question mark hangs over Hardik Pandya. The star all-rounder has been out of action since suffering a leg injury during the 2025 Asia Cup. He has been rehabilitating at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru and was widely expected to be fit for this series. However, his name was missing from the list, and the BCCI hasn’t officially clarified if he is still injured or just being rested. Rumors suggest a new strategy: the board might be saving Hardik strictly for T20Is to keep him fresh and injury-free for the 2026 T20 World Cup. For now, it seems we have to wait for the T20 squad announcement to solve this puzzle.

Rest or Drop? Axar and Siraj

Axar Patel’s absence is perhaps the most surprising. He performed well in the recent Australia series, contributing with both bat and ball. His exclusion is likely down to “workload management,” giving the all-format player a breather, though the board hasn’t confirmed this. Mohammad Siraj, on the other hand, had a tough time in Australia. Since he is a key part of India’s Test setup, the selectors might be resting him to avoid burnout. Alternatively, they may simply want to test younger pacers like Prasidh Krishna while the ODI World Cup is still two years away.

Varun Chakravarthy and the “Conditions” Factor

Varun Chakravarthy’s case seems purely tactical. He was brought back for the Champions Trophy in Dubai because the pitches there suited his mystery spin. South African conditions, however, are different and don’t usually require a heavy spin attack. It seems he was a “horse for the course” for the UAE and isn’t in the current scheme.

While these absences are felt, they open the door for others to shine. All eyes will now be on how the new-look squad, led by KL Rahul in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill, performs against the Proteas.