The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Selection Committee has announced the India A squads for the upcoming home series against Australia A. This assignment consists of two multi-day matches followed by a three-match One-Day series, with all five matches being scheduled in Puducherry.

The biggest talking point from the selection is the inclusion of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the India A One-Day squad. In addition, the 32-year-old would have to prove his fitness before being considered for a place in the playing XI, making the series an important opportunity for him to showcase his match preparedness.

Hardik Pandya's India A Return To Be Closely Monitored

Hardik has been playing white-ball cricket and managing workloads for the majority of the previous years, so his inclusion in the India A set up is of great interest to the selectors. The matches against Australia A will offer the all-rounder some competitive game time against quality opposition as India prepare to host next year's ODI World Cup in South Africa.

His fitness will be of particular interest during his time with the India A squad, and his ability to contribute with both bat and ball will be a factor in the decision about his prospects for upcoming international assignments.

The BCCI announced the squads in a statement.

“The Men's Selection Committee has selected the India A squad for the upcoming home series against Australia A, comprising two multi-day matches and three one-day games in Puducherry,” the board said.

India A Multi-Day Squad: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (C), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan (WK), Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak.

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 and Yash Thakur.

The multi-day series is due to start on September 22, with the One-Day leg scheduled to get underway on October 6.

The series will create an interesting scheduling challenge for the Indian cricket calendar, as the senior Indian team has three ODIs scheduled against the West Indies on September 27, September 30 and October 3, meaning India A's multi-day fixtures will clash with the senior side's assignment.

However, for Hardik, the challenge will be about proving his fitness and regaining competitive rhythm – a strong display in Puducherry would help his case for a return to India's ODI plans ahead of the 2027 World Cup.