Hardik Pandya Returns as BCCI Names India A Squads for Australia A Series
Hardik Pandya returns as India A face Australia A in Puducherry, with Padikkal and Gaikwad named captains.
The BCCI Men’s Selection Committee has announced separate India A squads for the multi-format home series against Australia A, with matches set to be played in Puducherry from September 22 to October 11.
Devdutt Padikkal will captain the multi-day side, with Sai Sudharsan as his deputy. Padikkal will also serve as vice-captain of the one-day team, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The biggest talking point is Hardik Pandya’s return to competitive cricket. The all-rounder has been picked for the three one-day matches, but his selection is subject to fitness clearance.
The multi-day squad includes several players looking to push their case for Test cricket. Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod and Shaik Rasheed are among the batters, while Kumar Kushagra and N Jagadeesan are the wicketkeeping options.
Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian add spin and all-round skills to the red-ball squad. The pace attack features Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak, who is also subject to fitness clearance.
Gaikwad to Lead White-ball Side
Ruturaj Gaikwad will captain the one-day squad, which also includes Rajat Patidar, Priyansh Arya and Sai Sudharsan. Kumar Kushagra and Prabhsimran Singh are the two wicketkeeping options.
Hardik’s presence adds experience to a squad that also features Nishant Sindhu, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan and Naman Dhir. Vipraj Nigam, Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur complete the bowling group.
The Australia A series will give several players an important chance to perform against strong opposition. It will also provide selectors with a closer look at players in contention for India’s senior teams.
The two multi-day games will be played from September 22 to 25 and September 29 to October 2. The three one-day matches are scheduled for October 6, 9 and 11, all in Puducherry.
