Hardik Pandya Back? India A Squad Drops Big Surprise

Hardik Pandya is set to return to competitive cricket after being named in India A’s one day squad for the Australia A series.

Hardik Pandya has not played competitive cricket for around five months. His return will depend on a final fitness clearance.

He is now part of the India A squad for the white ball games against Australia A in Puducherry.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named captain of the India A one day side, while Devdutt Padikkal will lead the team in the four day games.

Hardik Pandya’s inclusion also means he will miss India’s ODI series against the West Indies. India are also scheduled to play five T20Is against the West Indies between October 6 and 17.

Devdutt Padikkal has been rewarded with the four day captaincy after his recent performances. The Karnataka batter scored two centuries at No. 3 during India’s Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Sai Sudharsan has been named vice captain of the multi day squad, while Devdutt Padikkal will be his deputy in the one day team.

The selectors have also picked several players who impressed during the 2026 domestic season and IPL.

India A Multi Day Squad: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (Captain), Sai Sudharsan (Vice Captain), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan (Wicketkeeper), Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak.

India A One Day Squad: Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal (Vice Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya, Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper), Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur.

Hardik Pandya’s fitness clearance will now be the key factor before his long awaited return to competitive cricket.