Agencies | New Delhi:
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to make his return to competitive cricket next month after being included in the India A squad for the upcoming three-match one-day series against Australia A, subject to his fitness.
The BCCI announced the India A squads for the upcoming white-ball and red-ball assignments on Wednesday. The Australia A series will comprise two unofficial Tests and three one-day matches, all to be played in Puducherry.
Pandya, 32, was last seen in competitive action during the 2026 Indian Premier League and has been included in the one-day squad as he works his way back to full match fitness.
Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal has been appointed captain for the two unofficial Tests, while Sai Sudharsan will serve as his deputy. Padikkal has also been included in the one-day squad and will be vice-captain to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Padikkal enters the series in strong form after scoring back-to-back centuries during India A’s recent tour of Sri Lanka.
Sudharsan, meanwhile, returns to the red-ball squad after missing the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka due to injury.
The multi-day squad also includes Shaik Rasheed, Anshul Kamboj and Praful Hinge. Hinge attracted attention during IPL 2026 with his performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
For the one-day series, Gaikwad will lead a squad featuring Pandya, Padikkal, Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Priyansh Arya, Naman Dhir and Prabhsimran Singh.
The squad also includes Haryana all-rounder Nishant Sindhu, Uttar Pradesh’s Vipraj Nigam, and Tamil Nadu pacer Gurjapneet Singh, among others.
India A vs Australia A Schedule
The two unofficial Tests will be played from September 22 to 25 and September 29 to October 2, respectively.
The three one-day matches are scheduled for October 6, 9 and 11, with all five matches to be hosted by Puducherry.
September 22–25: 1st unofficial Test — Puducherry
September 29–October 2: 2nd unofficial Test — Puducherry
October 6: 1st One-Day — Puducherry
October 9: 2nd One-Day — Puducherry
October 11: 3rd One-Day — Puducherry
India A Multi-Day Squad
Devdutt Padikkal (C), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan (WK), Nachiket Bhute, Vijaykumar Vyshak.
India A One-Day Squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Devdutt Padikkal (VC), Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur.
Pandya’s inclusion will be closely watched as the all-rounder looks to regain competitive rhythm and fitness ahead of India’s upcoming international commitments.
