Senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya has taken a significant step towards a return to competitive cricket after being named in India A’s squad for the upcoming one-day series against Australia A, subject to fitness clearance.
The BCCI’s men’s selection committee announced separate India A squads on Wednesday for the home series against Australia A, comprising two multi-day matches and three one-day games, all to be played in Puducherry.
Pandya has been included in the 15-member one-day squad, which will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, with Devdutt Padikkal named vice-captain.
PANDYA’S INJURY WOES
Pandya, 32, has been hampered by a series of injuries in recent months. He missed four games during the 2026 IPL after suffering back spasms, then sat out India’s home series against Afghanistan because of a quadriceps strain. A fresh leg injury later interrupted his recovery and kept him from regaining full fitness.
His selection for the India A side, however, offers a potential route back into competitive action, with the BCCI making his participation subject to fitness clearance.
The three-match one-day series against Australia A is scheduled for October 6, 9 and 11, giving Pandya an opportunity to test his fitness and form in the lead-up to India’s future international assignments.
The India A series will begin with two multi-day matches, scheduled for September 22 and September 29 in Puducherry. The red-ball leg will be followed by the three 50-over games at the same venue.
Padikkal will captain the multi-day squad, with Sai Sudharsan named his deputy. Sudharsan has been included after recovering from a foot injury, while the squad also features several promising domestic performers, including Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj.
The one-day side, meanwhile, has a strong blend of established domestic names and emerging talent. Gaikwad will lead a squad featuring Sudharsan, Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Priyansh Arya, Kumar Kushagra and Prabhsimran Singh.
PANDYA’S COMEBACK?
Pandya’s inclusion is likely to attract the most attention, given his extended absence and importance to India’s white-ball plans. The all-rounder remains one of India’s most valuable players across limited-overs formats, and a successful return through the India A series could provide him with the competitive match time needed to regain full rhythm.
Interestingly, the India A series overlaps with India’s senior team’s ODI series against the West Indies, with the national side scheduled to play three matches on September 27, 30 and October 3.
For Pandya, though, the immediate focus will be on clearing the required fitness tests and making himself available for the Australia A series. If he does, the Puducherry one-dayers could mark the beginning of his long-awaited return to the field.
IND-A vs AUS-A SCHEDULE
- Sept 22 – 1st Multi-day match in Puducherry
- Sept 29 – 2nd Multi-day match in Puducherry
- Oct 6 – 1st One day match in Puducherry
- Oct 9 – 2nd One day match in Puducherry
- Oct 11 – 3rd One day match in Puducherry
IND-A SQUAD DETAILS
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, V 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.
– Ends
