Hardik Pandya Returns To India A Fold, Picked For Australia A One-Day Series

Hardik Pandya is set to take another step towards a return to competitive cricket after being named in India A's squad for the three-match one-day series against Australia A in October, subject to full fitness, the BCCI announced on Wednesday.

The inclusion of the senior all-rounder is the biggest talking point in a squad led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, as Pandya looks to rebuild his match fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 32-year-old has not played competitive cricket since the last edition of the IPL, where his campaign with Mumbai Indians was disrupted. A quadriceps injury subsequently kept him out of action and prevented him from reaching full fitness.

The Australia A assignment could therefore provide Pandya with an important competitive platform before he makes a possible return to the senior India side.

The India A home series will begin with two multi-day matches in Puducherry, starting September 22 and September 29. The red-ball games will be followed by three one-day matches on October 6, 9 and 11, also in Puducherry.

Devdutt Padikkal will captain the India A side in the multi-day matches, with Sai Sudharsan named vice-captain after recovering from a foot injury. Gaikwad will take charge of the one-day team, with Padikkal serving as his deputy.

The timing of Pandya's selection is particularly significant, with India's senior team scheduled to play three ODIs against the West Indies on September 27, September 30 and October 3. The India A series could give the selectors a clearer assessment of Pandya's fitness and match readiness.

The one-day squad also features Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Priyansh Arya, Naman Dhir, Arshin Kulkarni and Prabhsimran Singh, alongside a mix of established domestic performers and emerging players.

For Pandya, the Australia A series represents more than just another assignment. It is an opportunity to prove that his body is ready for the demands of international cricket again.