Hardik Pandya returns as India A squads for Australia A series announced
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad named captains of both India A squads.
The India A side continues to play an important role in Indian cricket, serving as a bridge between domestic and senior international cricket while preparing the next generation of Indian cricketers. For India, the upcoming home series against Australia A is particularly important.
The Men’s Selection Committee has selected the India A squad for the upcoming home series against Australia A, comprising two multi-day matches and three one-day games in Puducherry.
While several domestic players have been called up for the first time, some well-known Indian stars are also likely to return in this series.
Devdutt Padikkal has been appointed captain of the multi-day team, with Sai Sudharsan named his deputy. Moreover, Ruturaj Gaikwad took charge of the ODI team, and Padikkal appointed his deputy.
Hardik Pandya returns to competitive cricket
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
One of the biggest talking points of the selection is Hardik Pandya‘s inclusion in the one-day squad. Though his participation remains subject to fitness clearance, this selection has given Indian fans a slim ray of hope.
Pandya, whose comeback was recently delayed because of an injury, could return to competitive cricket with India A. If Pandya plays these games, it could help the selectors assess him ahead of the New Zealand tour.
However, Pandya’s addition to the India A squad under the bracket of subject to fitness clearance hints at the Indian all-rounder’s possible snub from India’s upcoming series against the West Indies at home.
He was already declared unfit for selection in the Afghanistan series and the Asian Games, and now, as per the scheme of things, he is likely to miss the limited-overs action against the West Indies as well. The West Indies home series begins on September 27, with three ODIs and five T20Is scheduled to be played.
Along with Pandya, left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan is also making a comeback after missing the Sri Lanka Test series due to injury. The upcoming India A series should serve as an important testing ground for India’s emerging talents.
India A squads for Multi-Day & One-Day matches
India A Multi-day squad: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal [C], Sai Sudharsan [VC], Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan [WK], Nachiket Bhute, V Vyshak.*
India A One-Day squad: Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal [VC], Ruturaj Gaikwad [C], Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya*, Prabhsimran Singh [WK], Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur.
Note: *Subject to fitness clearance
India A vs Australia A Series Full Schedule
| No | Day | Date | Day (to) | Date (to) | Match | Venue |
| 1 | Tue | 22-Sep-26 | Fri | 25-Sep-26 | 1st Multi-Day | Puducherry |
| 2 | Tue | 29-Sep-26 | Fri | 02-Oct-26 | 2nd Multi-Day | Puducherry |
| 3 | Tue | 06-Oct-26 | 1st One Day | Puducherry | ||
| 4 | Fri | 09-Oct-26 | 2nd One Day | Puducherry | ||
| 5 | Sun | 11-Oct-26 | 3rd One Day | Puducherry |
Will Hardik Pandya miss the ODI series against West Indies?
Hardik Pandya is still recovering and has been named in the India A squad for the series against Australia A, which indicates he might miss the ODI assignments against West Indies.
When did Hardik Pandya last play for India A?
No, Hardik Pandya has never played an India A game in his career; he skipped the India A setup entirely when he broke into international cricket in 2016.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.