“It is not a Test series” - Ajit Agarkar opens up on two talented youngsters not getting a chance in the ODI squad vs Australia

Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar has opened up on talented young batters Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma not getting into the Indian ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia Down Under.

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Speaking in the press conference, Agarkar asserted that while Tilak Varma is very close to the selection, they have selected limited players as it’s a short three-match series and are expecting very limited changes in the playing XI.

“Rohit (Sharma) and (Shubman) Gill are likely to open, there is Yashasvi Jaiswal (as well), people tend to forget how good he is as well, and Tilak is very close," Agarkar said in the press conference.

"We have taken a 15-man squad (as) it is a three-match series, it is not like a Test series where you can carry a few extra which you might need. You may not end up needing more than those and you are not going to make too many changes in three games that you play (since) it is a short series," he added.

Furthermore, Agarkar has also revealed the reason behind the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja not being part of the ODI squad. Interestingly, Jadeja, who hit the winning runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final vs New Zealand, found himself excluded in the ODI squad.

"To take two left-arm spinners to Australia is not possible, but he is clearly in the scheme of things with how good he is. But there will also be some competition for places," Agarkar noted.

"He was there in the Champions Trophy squad because we took those extra spinners with the conditions there. (But) we could only carry one (left-arm spinner) and get some balance in the team,” he observed. 

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"With Washy (Washington Sundar) and Kuldeep (Yadav) there (in the squad) as well and I don't think we are going to need more than that in Australia. But he is clearly in the scheme of things, Jaddu, with how good he is, what he offers us as a batter and a bowler, but particularly in the field as well," he concluded.

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