The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on September 9 announced India A's squads for two unofficial Tests and three One-Dayers against Australia A at home. India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been named in India A's One-Day squad but there is an asterisk in front of his name. Pandya's participation in the A series is subject to fitness.
Pandya has not played a single game since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. He has missed the ODI series against Afghanistan, UK tour, Zimbabwe T20I series and the T20I series against Afghanistan which will begin on September 13 and Asian Games 2026. Now, it is unlikely that Pandya makes a comeback in the three-ODI series against West Indies which commences on September 27.
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The One-Dayers between India A and Australia A are set to begin on October 6. Pandya will have to prove his fitness at the Centre of Excellence (CoE), Bengaluru before his first competitive game in four and a half months.
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No Reddy for ODI series vs West Indies too?
The all-rounder had suffered a quadriceps strain during his rehabilitation at CoE. In his place, Nitish Kumar Reddy played the ODI series against Afghanistan and suffered a quadriceps injury himself. Reddy is set for comeback in the T20I series against Afghanistan but won’t be available for the series against West Indies as he is part of Asian Games 2026 squad.
Who will be pace-bowling all-rounder in West Indies ODI series?
The BCCI is yet to announce the squad for ODI series against West Indies. With Pandya injured and Reddy, Shivam Dube on Asian Games duties, the fourth option is Suryansh Shedge who made his T20I debut on UK tour. He played a T20I each against Ireland, England and Zimbabwe.
Shedge is yet to receive his maiden ODI call-up. But, he has been part of the India A One-Day squad. He was impressive down the order in the tri-series on Sri Lankan soil featuring Afghanistan A. But, he cannot be picked as the fifth bowler but someone who can chip in with a few overs.