Hardik Pandya Named in India A Squad for Australia A One-Day Series Pending Fitness Clearance

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Men's Selection Committee has announced the India A squads for the upcoming home series against Australia A in Puducherry. The bilateral series, featuring two multi-day games followed by three one-day fixtures, is scheduled to take place from September 22 to October 11, 2026. The major highlight of the squad announcement is the inclusion of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the 15-member One-Day team, although his participation remains subject to fitness clearance. Pandya has been out of competitive action since the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season due to a sequence of injuries, including back spasms and a quadriceps strain. Having spent months undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, his inclusion provides a valuable opportunity to regain match fitness ahead of the busy international calendar and the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. The selectors have named Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain of the One-Day squad, with Devdutt Padikkal serving as his deputy. In the multi-day matches starting on September 22, Padikkal will lead the side, with Sai Sudharsan appointed as vice-captain. Other prominent names in the squads include Rajat Patidar, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and young wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra. This series offers domestic performers a vital platform to make a strong case for senior national team selection.