Hardik Pandya named in India A squad for Australia A series

Hardik Pandya has been named in the India A white-ball squad for an upcoming series against Australia A in Puducherry, marking a potential return to competitive cricket following injury recovery. His participation is subject to final fitness clearance by the BCCI.

The series will consist of two multi-day matches starting in late September, followed by three one-day games scheduled for October 6, 9, and 11. Pandya has recently been sidelined by a quadriceps strain and back spasms, which prevented his participation in the ODI series against Afghanistan.

Devdutt Padikkal will captain the multi-day squad with Sai Sudharsan as vice-captain. For the one-day matches, Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the team, with Padikkal serving as vice-captain. The squads include several domestic players and emerging talents such as Rajat Patidar and Tushar Deshpande.