CHENNAI: The wait is over. Hardik Pandya is back in the Indian team. The all-rounder was named in the squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa after a six-month injury lay-off. Also back after fitness issues are Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This was the first selection meeting under new chairman Sunil Joshi. The games will be played in Dharamsala (March 12), Lucknow (March 15) and Kolkata (March 18).
Pandya's comeback was awaited after he underwent a back surgery. He was in good nick in the recent DY Patil T20 tournament in Navi Mumbai and struck two hurricane centuries. The selectors seem satisfied with his ability to hit the ball. However, if Pandya is fit enough to bowl will be closely followed. The team sees him as the only genuine contender for the fast-bowling all-rounder's slot. With the T20 World Cup coming up in Australia later this year, the team would like to have him back in that role.
Selectors dropped Kedar Jadhav and included Shubman Gill. However, with Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey in, it's not clear if Gill is a middle-order option or back-up opener. Shardul Thakur and Shivam Dube were the also dropped. Rohit Sharma is yet to recover from a calf injury and is expected to return to in IPL. Dhawan, who suffered a shoulder dislocation, is back and so is Bhuvneshwar, who underwent a sports hernia surgery. Dhawan's comeback meant the axe fell on Mayank Agarwal. Prithvi Shaw stays in the side.
The three ODIs will be played in Dharamsala (March 12), Lucknow (March 15) and Kolkata (March 18).
India's ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill.