The BCCI has made two changes ahead of the India A series against Australia A in Puducherry. Former India pacer L. Balaji has been appointed as the head coach of the India A team for the multi-format series.
Balaji will take charge of the India A side for the two unofficial four-day Tests and three unofficial ODIs. The series will give several Indian players a chance to perform in front of the selectors and push for senior-team selection.
Andhra off-spinner T Vijay has also been added to the India A squad. He replaces Vipraj Nigam, who recently received his maiden India call-up for the Japan tour. Nigam had earlier replaced injured spinner Varun Chakravarthy in India’s squad for the Asian Games 2026 and the one-off T20I against Japan.
India A Captains and Squads
Devdutt Padikkal will lead the India A side in the multi-day matches, with Sai Sudharsan as vice-captain. Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani and Tushar Deshpande are also part of the squad.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will captain the India A one-day team, while Padikkal will be his deputy. Young batter Priyansh Arya is among the players selected for the white-ball squad.
Australia A have also picked experienced and young players for the India tour. Their multi-day squad includes Peter Handscomb, Jhye Richardson and Brendan Doggett. The one-day team features young fast bowlers Mahli Beardman and Spencer Johnson.
The first unofficial Test will be played in Puducherry from September 22 to 25. The second four-day match will take place from September 29 to October 2. Both games will start at 9:30 AM IST.
The three-match unofficial ODI series will begin on October 6. The second ODI is scheduled for October 9, followed by the third match on October 11. All three games will be played in Puducherry and will start at 9:30 AM IST.
Praful Hinge Set for India A Debut
Praful Hinge is all set to make his debut for India A in the red-ball game. The fast bowler made his mark during the IPL 2026 series and now awaits his first game for India A. Hinge wants to stay focused on each delivery rather than think about what comes next. He said he learned about his selection through a friend and is looking forward to the challenge.
Hinge told IANS, “I don’t think too much in my brain about what will happen next or what may not happen. I just focus on the present, like what I have to do with the ball in hand in a match. I just focus on bowling one ball at a time.”
He added, “As a bowler, there are a lot of challenges and I love those challenges. When the ball comes, I just have to do my bowling. I’ll do my best. The rest, and whatever happens, will have to happen.”