Suryansh Shedge has replaced injured Hardik Pandya in the India A squad for the upcoming three-match one-day series against Australia A.
Pandya, who was originally named in the squad subject to medical clearance, was ruled out after sustaining a fresh injury, which followed a series of fitness setbacks that kept him away from competitive action since May 2026.
Pandya, who hasn't played for India since the 2026 T20 World Cup final, has reportedly been diagnosed with a symptomatic right tibial bone stress response. He has been advised two weeks of rest by the medical team, followed by supervised rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Considering the mandatory rest period and subsequent rehabilitation timeline, it is highly unlikely that Hardik Pandya will travel for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand beginning October 22.
Shedge, who earned his international debut in June 2026 during a T20I against Ireland in Belfast, stepped in as Pandya’s replacement after undergoing fitness assessments at the CoE. With the medical team clearing him for action, the Mumbai all-rounder linked up with the India A squad in Puducherry ahead of the series opener.
In another significant change, left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Anukul Roy has been drafted in to replace Naman Dhir, who was pulled into the senior national T20I squad to face the West Indies.
Dhir has taken Washington Sundar’s spot after the latter was released from the T20I setup to represent Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, allowing him to gain vital red-ball match practice before India’s all-format tour of New Zealand later this month.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead India A, with Devdutt Padikkal named his deputy for the one-day fixtures against Australia A on October 6, October 9 and October 11.
India A squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Devdutt Padikkal (vice-capt), Priyansh Arya, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Rajat Patidar, Prabhsimran Singh, B Sai Sudharsan, Anukul Roy, Arshin Kulkarni, Nishant Sindhu, Suryansh Shedge, Arshad Khan, Gurjapneet Singh, Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur
