Hardik Pandya Ruled Out as Suryansh Shedge Joins India A Squad for Australia A Series- IPL

Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge has replaced Hardik Pandya in the India A squad for the three-match unofficial ODI series against Australia A in Puducherry. The 23-year-old will play in the matches on October 6, 9 and 11. Shedge has returned after recovering from a minor quadriceps injury.

Suryansh Shedge Cleared by BCCI

Shedge missed Mumbai’s pre-season tournaments because of the injury. He was also unavailable for the India and Rest of India squads. He completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The medical team cleared him after a fitness assessment, allowing him to travel to Puducherry.

“Shedge had gone to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for a fitness assessment, and after being cleared by the CoE’s medical team, left for Puducherry yesterday,” a source tracking developments told TOI. Shedge will miss Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on October 11.

Hardik Pandya Suffers Another Injury

Hardik Pandya felt discomfort in his right calf during a fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 19. An MRI showed very mild intramedullary oedema, which was consistent with right medial tibial stress syndrome. Pandya has been recovering from an injury he suffered during the closing stages of IPL 2026. He has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence.

Pandya had reportedly cleared a fitness test before the Afghanistan series but suffered another setback. He missed the England tour and the following series, as well as the West Indies series. He was also expected to return during the 2026 Asian Games in Japan but was not fit for selection for the Afghanistan T20Is. India selected Nitish Kumar Reddy for the three-match ODI series against West Indies.

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Hardik Pandya’s India Return Delayed

Pandya last played competitive cricket for Mumbai Indians against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. His last appearance for India came in the T20 World Cup 2026 final. His most recent ODI appearance was 18 months ago. Pandya now faces another period of rehabilitation as he targets a return to the Indian team. India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand begins on October 22.

Shedge’s Recent India A Numbers

Shedge played for India A in the tri-series in Sri Lanka in June. He scored 147 runs in five matches and bowled 23 overs. He has also played three T20Is for India during the tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe in June and July. His injury kept him out of the India and Rest of India squads before he completed his rehabilitation.

Shedge’s Strong Record for Mumbai

Shedge was one of Mumbai’s key performers during their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-winning campaign in the 2024-25 season. He scored 131 runs while batting in the lower middle order. His strike rate was 251.92. The Australia A series gives Shedge another chance to perform after his return from injury. Pandya’s latest injury has left his availability for India’s New Zealand tour uncertain.

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