Hardik Pandya closes in on international return as BCCI names squads for multi-format series against Australia A

Hardik Pandya is closing in on an international return after being named in India A’s 50‑over squad for the forthcoming multi‑format home series against Australia A. His participation, however, remains subject to fitness clearance. Hardik has not played a game for India since the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8.

Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead India A in the multi‑day and one‑day formats, respectively. Padikkal will be assisted by Sai Sudharsan, who has been appointed vice‑captain. Sarfaraz Khan and Auqib Nabi are not part of either squad.

Alongside Padikkal and Sudharsan, the squad for the multi‑day (four‑day) games features Shaik Rasheed and wicketkeeper‑batter Kumar Kushagra, strengthening the batting group. The bowling unit includes Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge and Vijaykumar Vyshak, whose availability is subject to fitness clearance. Narayan Jagadeesan has been named as the second wicketkeeper.

Meanwhile, Padikkal has also been appointed Gaikwad’s vice‑captain for the 50‑over leg of the series. The presence of Rajat Patidar, Priyansh Arya, Sudharsan, and Kushagra gives India A's batting line-up an indomitable look. The bowling department comprises Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh and Arshad Khan, whereas Vipraj Nigam and Nishant Sindhu will look after the spin attack.

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, 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, Yash Thakur

Note: *Subject to fitness clearance

Australia A's multi-format tour of India A