While the Indian men’s national cricket team is busy getting ready for the crucial second and final Test of the home series against South Africa, the national selection committee is busy setting the ODI squad against South Africa. There are some reports on the availability of the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the right-arm fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming home ODI series against South Africa, starting on November 30. 

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Hardik Pandya is recovering well

During the Asia Cup T20 2025, Hardik Pandya sustained a quadriceps injury, as the all-rounder missed out on the Final against Pakistan. He is recovering but yet to prove his match fitness. The selectors and team management aren't rushing on him, as they are looking for him in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is less than three months away from beginning. So, Hardik is unlikely to be available for the selection for the upcoming home ODI series against South Africa. 

A BCCI source told PTI, "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."

While the five-match T20I series against South Africa will start on December 9, Hardik is likely to get match practice to prove his fitness in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, which will begin on November 26.  

Jasprit Bumrah may miss ODI series vs South Africa

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is always in the talk for workload management, as he is one of the most important pacers for the Men in Blues. As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is very near, his workload management is a priority for the team management. Bumrah is also unlikely to be part of the ODI squad for the forthcoming home ODI series against South Africa.