Ajit Agarkar reveals why Tilak Varma & Abhishek Sharma are excluded from ODI squad for Australian tour

Chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, has revealed the reason why the young Indian batters Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma didn’t make it to the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia, starting on October 19.

Speaking in the press conference after announcing the limited-overs squads, the chief selector disclosed that with this being a short three-match series, they couldn’t select more players as there might be little changes in the playing XI across three games. 

“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.

Additionally, he also revealed the main reason behind the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja not making it to the final ODI squad, having played a heroic knock in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final vs New Zealand. 

"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. 

"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.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky365 and download the Sky365 App to start betting today!