Hardik Pandya will miss the limited overs series against Australia

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the upcoming limited overs series against Australia as he is suffering from “lower back stiffness”.

The setback comes shortly after Pandya recovered from a stress fracture in his back.

In September last year, Pandya had to be stretchered off the field during India’s clash with Pakistan in the Asia Cup due to “acute back spasms”, according to the BCCI.

As a result of it, he missed India’s home series against the West Indies from October to November and the first two Tests of the national team’s tour of Australia.

With Pandya having been ruled out of the series, the BCCI’s medical team has decided to send him to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to work on his strength and conditioning.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been called up to replace Pandya for the five-match ODI series, which begins on March 2 in Hyderabad.

Prior to the ODI series, India and Australia will play a two-match Twenty20 series, which will get underway on February 24 in Visakhapatnam.