Why is Hardik Pandya not playing today’s AUS vs IND 2025 T20I? 

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is not part of the India squad for the five-T20I series against Australia and is thus not playing the first T20I on Wednesday, October 29. The first game of the series is currently underway in Canberra.

Notably, Hardik Pandya suffered a left quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup 2025 earlier this year. He picked up the injury during India's game against Sri Lanka in Dubai and even missed the final of the multination event.

The premier all-rounder is on the path to recovery and will therefore not be in action during the T20I series against Australia. Hardik was not part of the team for the ODI series either.

"Hardik won’t be fit for Australia due to the injury he picked up before the Asia Cup final. We’ll know more once he starts rehab at the COE," Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was quoted as saying while naming the squad for the Australia tour (via Insidesport).

India will have to rely on Shivam Dube to play the role of the medium-pace bowling all-rounder throughout the series in Hardik Pandya's absence. The 32-year-old is only likely to return to action during the home series against South Africa in late November. Nitish Kumar Reddy is also set to miss the first three games of the T20I series

When India toured Australia for a T20I series the last time in 2020/21, Hardik played a key role in the team's 2-1 victory.

---

What are Hardik Pandya's numbers in the shorter format?

Hardik Pandya has been an integral member of India's white-ball set-up. Being a fast-bowling all-rounder, a rare commodity in the country, he has been vital to the balance of the side.

Hardik made his T20I debut in 2016. Interestingly, his maiden appearance in the format came against Australia at Adelaide. He has featured in 120 matches so far. With the bat, he has scored 1860 runs from 94 innings at a strike-rate of 141.01 with five half-centuries. He has bagged 98 wickets from 108 innings at an average of 26.58 and an economy of 8.22.

Over the years, he has been a top performer in the IPL as well. He has played 152 games and has scored 2749 runs along with 78 wickets. Hardik's absence could prove to be a huge blow for India in the T20Is against Australia.