Published on: Sep 9, 2026 3:58 pm IST|Updated on: Sep 9, 2026 4:07 pm IST
In a major boost for Indian cricket, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been selected in the India A squad for the upcoming home series against Australia A. This marks his return to competitive action following workload management and injury recovery. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially announced the squads for both the multi-day and one-day formats, with Hardik included in the one-day squad.
Talking about the series, all games of this bilateral tour will take place in Puducherry, featuring two four-day multi-day games followed by a three-match one-day series. The multi-day games squad will be led by India’s new No. 3 in Test cricket, Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal, with his deputy being Tamil Nadu’s left-hand batter B Sai Sudharsan. Maharashtra’s star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad will be leading the one-day side, with his deputy being Devdutt Padikkal.
Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the India A setup marks a pivotal step toward his return to the national team. However, the BCCI selection panel clarified that his participation remains subject to final fitness evaluation.
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Having been out of competitive action for quite some time now, the upcoming 50-over games against a competitive Australia A side offer the ideal platform for Pandya to gain match fitness, test his bowling workload, and rediscover his rhythm in high-stakes conditions.
The multi-day squad will be captained by Devdutt Padikkal, with dynamic opener Sai Sudharsan named as his vice-captain. The red-ball team includes a strong blend of established top-order performers like Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan, alongside talented emerging pacers like Prasidh Krishna, Yash Dayal, and Mukesh Kumar. Take a close look at the squad.
India A Multi-Day Squad: Devdutt Padikkal (C), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Ricky Bhui, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abishek Porel (WK), Harshit Rana, Manav Suthar, Nishant Sindhu, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Dayal, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar.
Transitioning to the white-ball leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad takes over leadership duties, supported by Padikkal as vice-captain. The one-day squad features explosive batting firepower, including Priyansh Arya, Naman Dhir, and Rajat Patidar, alongside experienced international campaigners like Ishan Kishan and Sai Sudharsan. Take a close look at the squad.
India A One-Day Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Devdutt Padikkal (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Hardik Pandya*, Priyansh Arya, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Dhir, Prasidh Krishna, Nishant Sindhu, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Porel (WK), Yash Dayal, Manav Suthar, Vyshak Vijaykumar*, Harshit Rana.
*Subject to fitness clearance
Below is the completed schedule of the Australia A tour of India. The tour will comprise two multi-day games followed by three one-day fixtures.
The live streaming details of these matches are yet to be out. Stay tuned to get updated for the same.