Hardik Pandya is edging closer to a return to competitive cricket, with the India all-rounder named in the India A one-day squad for the upcoming series against Australia A in Puducherry, subject to fitness clearance.

The development comes as Pandya continues his rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His inclusion offers an important indication of India's plans for the 33-year-old ahead of the upcoming white-ball assignments.

Hardik Pandya Gets India A Call-Up

Pandya has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2026 and has been working on his fitness during his rehabilitation programme.

The all-rounder's inclusion in the India A squad could now provide him with an opportunity to prove his match fitness before returning to the senior side.

Pandya's selection, however, is subject to fitness clearance, meaning the final decision will depend on his assessment at the BCCI's CoE.

The India A one-day series against Australia A will be played in Puducherry on October 6, 9 and 11.

Big Test Awaits Pandya

Ruturaj Gaikwad will captain the India A one-day side, with Devdutt Padikkal named his deputy.

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.)

For Pandya, the immediate target will be getting through the fitness assessment and then building up his workload in competitive cricket.

India's home season includes a three-match ODI series against West Indies from September 27 to October 3, meaning the Australia A games come after that series rather than before it.

That makes Pandya's India A assignment particularly significant as India look to manage his return and assess his readiness for subsequent international commitments.