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India A are set to begin their multi-day series against Australia A on Tuesday, September 22, with the first four-day fixture scheduled to be played in Puducherry. The match will be an important opportunity for several domestic performers and India hopefuls to make a strong impression in red-ball cricket.
The BCCI has named a 15-member squad for the multi-day leg, with Devdutt Padikkal appointed captain and Sai Sudharsan named vice-captain. The squad includes several batters with significant first-class experience, along with spin-bowling all-rounders Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian and a group of promising fast bowlers.
Australia A have also assembled a strong squad featuring Sam Konstas, Peter Handscomb, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson. The series is designed to give players from both sides valuable exposure to Indian conditions ahead of Australia’s senior Test tour in early 2027.
Here is India’s predicted playing XI for the first unofficial Test against Australia A:
Aman Mokhade could open the innings for India A. The left-handed batter has been included in the multi-day squad and is likely to get an opportunity at the top of the order.
Facing an Australian attack featuring Jhye Richardson and Brendan Doggett will provide a significant test of his technique. India A will want their openers to negotiate the new ball before allowing the middle order to take control.
Ayush Pandey is another strong candidate to open alongside Mokhade. His selection in the multi-day squad reflects the selectors’ interest in developing young batting options in the longer format.
The first session could be particularly important for Pandey, with Australia A expected to attack aggressively with their seamers.
Sai Sudharsan is likely to occupy the No. 3 position and could be one of India’s most important batters. The left-hander has been named vice-captain of the multi-day side and returns to the India A setup after missing the previous Test series against Sri Lanka A due to injury.
His ability to bat for long periods makes him a natural candidate to anchor the top order.
Captain Devdutt Padikkal should slot into the middle order at No. 4. The Karnataka batter has considerable experience in domestic first-class cricket and has been entrusted with leading the side.
Padikkal’s role will extend beyond his batting, as he will also have to manage a relatively young squad against an Australia A team containing several players with senior international experience.
Yash Rathod could be another left-handed presence in India’s middle order. His inclusion gives India A an additional technically sound batting option capable of occupying the crease for long periods.
Against Australia A’s pace-heavy attack, Rathod’s ability to handle the moving ball will be tested early.
Shaik Rasheed is expected to take the No. 6 position. The talented right-hander has already been part of India’s pathway setup and has built a reputation as a promising red-ball batter.
His ability to construct an innings could become particularly valuable if India A lose early wickets. Rasheed can also provide acceleration once the ball becomes older and batting conditions improve.
Kumar Kushagra is likely to be India’s wicketkeeper-batter. He is the designated wicketkeeping option in the multi-day squad, although N Jagadeesan provides experienced competition for the gloves.
Kushagra’s batting ability allows India A to maintain depth while his work behind the stumps will be crucial against Australia’s spinners and quicks.
Tanush Kotian should provide the balance as a spin-bowling all-rounder. His off-spin could become increasingly important as the match progresses, while his batting gives India A another capable lower-order contributor.
In a four-day game in Puducherry, Kotian could play a major role with both disciplines.
Shams Mulani is another important all-round option and could lead the spin attack. The left-arm spinner has extensive domestic experience and is capable of bowling long spells.
His ability to contribute useful runs down the order also gives India A greater flexibility in selecting their bowling combination.
Tushar Deshpande is likely to be one of India’s frontline fast bowlers. His domestic experience and ability to extract movement with the new ball make him a strong option for the first fixture.
He could be particularly important during the opening spell against Australia’s technically strong top order.
Anshul Kamboj could complete the predicted XI. The seamer has already been involved in India’s wider red-ball setup and offers the ability to bowl long spells while contributing lower-order runs.
India A also have Praful Hinge, Nachiket Bhute and Tripurana Vijay in the squad, but the above names make the strongest case for the final XI.
Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal (C), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj
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