India A Squad Announced for Australia A Series: Devdutt Padikkal to Lead in Multi-Day, Hardik Pandya picked

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the India A squads for the upcoming home series against Australia A, with Puducherry set to host two multi-day matches followed by three one-day games.

Devdutt Padikkal will captain the India A side in the multi-day fixtures, with Sai Sudharsan named vice-captain. The squad features a strong mix of established domestic performers and players with senior international experience, providing an important opportunity for India's emerging talent to stake a claim for higher honours.

The headline name in the ODI squad is Hardik Pandya, who has been named but will only be picked if he clears his fitness test.

Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod and Shaik Rasheed are among the batting options, while Kumar Kushagra and N Jagadeesan provide wicketkeeping cover. The bowling department includes Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, while IPL names such as Praful Hinge, Tushar Deshpande have been included as well.

For the three one-day matches, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed captain, with Padikkal serving as his deputy. Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar and Priyansh Arya add considerable batting depth, while Kumar Kushagra and Prabhsimran Singh are the two wicketkeeping options.

The one-day squad also includes all-rounders Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Dhir and Hardik Pandya, alongside Arshad Khan, Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur.

The series will offer selectors an opportunity to assess players across both red-ball and white-ball formats against strong opposition. For several members of the squads, performances against Australia A could prove significant in their progression towards India selection.

India A vs Australia A Schedule

1st Multi-Day Match: Sep 22 to Sep 25

2nd Multi-Day Match: Sep 29 to Oct 2

1st ODI: Oct 6

2nd ODI: Oct 9

3rd ODI: Oct 11

-- All the matches will be played in Puducherry.

India A Squads vs Australia A

Check out the teams here.

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

*Subject to Fitness Clearance