The BCCI named a 15-man squad for the Australia-A game, with several contenders like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan also picked. The matches against Australia-A will serve as practice games or auditions for a few backup players for the marquee five-match Test series.  While Devdutt Padikkal, B Indrajith and Ricky Bhui will be the middle-order batters, Abishek Porel and Ishan Kishan are the two designated wicket-keepers in the India-A squad. Having made his India debut recently, Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been picked as an all-rounder, with Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar accompanying him in the said category. On the other hand, Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed and Yash Dayal are the four fast bowlers. Meanwhile, Easwaran, 29, is also vying for a place in the Test squad for the Australia series. Picked earlier for the away Bangladesh series in 2022, the domestic giant hasn't broken into the India Test playing XI yet. The right-handed batter has been in outstanding form this season, scoring two Duleep Trophy hundreds, one in Irani Cup and one against Bengal in the ongoing season of Ranji Trophy. On the other hand, Sudharsan, 23, made headlines for his magnificent double hundred for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, having scored a stunning ton for Surrey in the English County in August. Schedule and squad - India-A will face Australia-A in two four-day matches in Mackay on October 31 and Melbourne on November 7. Next, the India-A team will face the BGT-bound Indian Test side in a three-day warm-up match in Perth, scheduled from November 15-17, with the first Test beginning on November 22 at the Optus Stadium. Here is the In;dia-A squad for Australia-A matches - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, B Indrajith, Abishek Porel (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Ricky Bhui, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Tanush Kotian and Yash Dayal