Peter Handscomb returns to Australia A squad for India tour ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy

Peter Handscomb’s hopes of making a Test comeback are alive as he’s been named in the Australia A squad for the upcoming tour of India. Peter Handscomb hasn’t played international cricket since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023. The 35-year-old, who has been termed a ‘spin specialist’ in his career so far, has a great chance to make it back into the team for the upcoming series in Australia in 2027. 

Brendan Doggett and Jhye Richardson will add the firepower in the fast bowling unit as their pace will come in handy on slow surfaces of India. Off-spinner Todd Murphy will be another sure-shot starter along with Matthew Kuhnemann, who hasn’t been picked in the 'A' squad or for the forthcoming South Africa ODI series.

Australia chief selector George Bailey confirmed that the squad has been picked keeping in mind the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India.

"It's a strong representation of players who will be in contention to be part of the group we take to India next year or see as having potential for further opportunities into the future,” said chief selector George Bailey.

Nine players out of the 15 members also played in last year's Australia A four-day matches in Lucknow, including Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Murphy.

Nikhil Chaudhary named in One Day squad

Indian-origin Nikhil Chaudhary has also been named in the One-Day squad. Born in Delhi, he played 14 limited-overs matches for Punjab, sharing the dressing room with the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. The spin all-rounder also had a trial with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Fast bowler Spencer Johnson will join the one-day squad after the ODI series in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The tour will start with two four-day matches, beginning on September 22, while the three-match One Day series will begin on October 6, with the entire tour scheduled to be played in Puducherry.

Australia A four-day squad: Brendan Doggett, Jack Edwards, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott

Australia A one-day squad: Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachlan Shaw