New Delhi, September 2026 : Left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal and senior opener Ruturaj Gaikwad have been appointed captains of the India A multi-day and one-day teams, respectively, for the upcoming home series against Australia A, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Wednesday.
The India A squad will play two four-day matches followed by a three-match 50-over series against Australia A, with all five games scheduled to be played in Puducherry. The red-ball fixtures will be held from September 22 to 25 and September 29 to October 2, while the one-day matches are scheduled for October 6, 9 and 11.
The selection has also brought senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya back into the India A setup. Pandya, who has been sidelined since IPL 2026 because of injuries to his quad and leg, has been picked for the one-day series. However, his participation will depend on his fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Padikkal will lead the 15-member multi-day squad after an impressive run in India’s recent 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka. The left-hander was named Player of the Series after scoring 328 runs while batting at No. 3.
Sai Sudharsan, who missed the Sri Lanka Test series because of a right toe injury, has been named Padikkal’s deputy. The batting group also includes Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod and Shaik Rasheed, providing India A with several options in the top and middle order.
Wicketkeeping duties in the multi-day format will be shared by Kumar Kushagra and N Jagadeesan. Kushagra enters the squad after scoring a century in the ongoing Duleep Trophy final against South Zone.
The spin department features Mumbai all-rounders Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, while the pace attack includes Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, Nachiket Bhute and Vijaykumar Vyshak. Vyshak’s selection remains subject to fitness clearance.
For the white-ball leg, Gaikwad will take charge as captain, with Padikkal appointed vice-captain. The 15-member squad combines established domestic performers with players who have international experience.
The batting lineup includes Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar and Naman Dhir. Patidar, who has captained an IPL-winning side twice, adds experience to the middle order, while Dhir has impressed with his performances in the ongoing Sher-e-Punjab T20 League.
Kushagra and Prabhsimran Singh are the two wicketkeeping options. The all-round department comprises Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan and Pandya, whose availability will depend on his fitness.
The pace bowling unit features Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur. Thakur recently made his T20I debut during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July.
The Australia A series will provide an important platform for several players to strengthen their claims for higher honours while also giving the selectors an opportunity to assess emerging talent across both formats.
India A Multi-Day Squad
Devdutt Padikkal (captain), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan (wk), Nachiket Bhute and Vijaykumar Vyshak (subject to fitness).
India A One-Day Squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya (subject to fitness), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur.
