India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will return to action for the first time after IPL 2026. Pandya has been named in the India A One-Day squad for the three-match series against Australia A but his selection is subject to fitness clearance. The all-rounder last played professional cricket in IPL 2026 while leading Mumbai Indians. Pandya scored 206 runs in 10 innings and could only manage four wickets at a high economy rate of 11.42.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named as captain whereas Devdutt Padikkal will be his deputy in the white-ball team.
In- form Padikkal will lead the India A squad in the two-match multi-day matches, whereas Sai Sudharsan has been named as the vice-captain.
Young players like Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod and Shaik Rasheed have also been picked, whereas Kumar Kushagra and N Jagadeesan are the two wicketkeeping options. Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj are the bowling options for the red-ball series.
India A Multi-Day Squad:
Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (captain), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak* (subject to fitness)
India A One-Day Squad:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya* (subject to fitness), Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur
India A vs Australia A 2026 Schedule –
Date Match Venue
Sep 22 – 25 1st Multi-Day Match Puducherry
Sep 29 – Oct 2 2nd Multi-Day Match Puducherry
Oct 6 1st One-Day Match Puducherry
Oct 9 2nd One-Day Match Puducherry
Oct 11 3rd One-Day Match Puducherry
