India A Strongest XI For Australia A ODIs In Hardik Pandya's Absence

Hardik pandya has been ruled out of Australia A ODIs [Source: AFP]

It seems like all-rounder, Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming unofficial ODI series between India A and Australia A after the player sustained a fresh injury that derailed his comeback. The veteran player has been experiencing fresh pain in his right shin for the past few days, and he has been advised to rest by his doctor.

The series was set to be crucial for Hardik as India wanted him match-ready for the upcoming New Zealand series, but it seems the fans have to wait a bit longer to see him back on the field.

India A squad vs Australia in Hardik's absence

Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal [VC], Ruturaj Gaikwad [C], Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Prabhsimran Singh [WK], Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur

With Hardik Pandya injured and ruled out of the upcoming unofficial ODIs, here is how the India A team could line up in his absence.

Openers and top order: Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal

Priyansh Arya: Priyansh Arya, the hard-hitting batter, has been backed by the management in recent years, and expect the left-handed player to open in the upcoming ODIs against Australia A. In List-A matches,he strikes at 137.57, and India would want him to continue the same against the Aussies.

Sai Sudharsan: Sudharsan is coming back on the back of an injury, and he will complement Priyansh Arya at the top. While Arya can be the aggressor at the top, Sudharsan will bring calmness with his technically sound batting.

Devdutt Padikkal: Devdutt Padikkal is knocking on the Indian selectors’ doors with his stellar List-A performances, and the numbers do tell the story.

(Devdutt Padikkal List-A career)

Padikkal boasts a staggering average of 82 in List-A cricket, and the Karnataka batter will be one of the first names on the India A team sheet.

Middle order and all-rounders: Ruturaj Gaikwad [C], Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Nishant Sindhu

Ruturaj Gaikwad: The captain of the team, Ruturaj Gaikwad, will hold the Indian fort in the middle order, and he’ll be a key player in the middle overs against a strong Australian bowling attack. Gaikwad is an exceptional player of both pace and spin, and the Australian bowlers will need to dismiss him early.

Rajat Patidar: Patidar has blown hot and cold in List-A cricket, but his ability to strike big against spin bowling will come in handy for the Indian side in the middle overs.

Kumar Kushagra: While some want Prabhsimran Singh in the playing XI, Kumar Kushagra remains a better choice in this format, and the stats tell the tale.

(Kumar Kushagra vs Prabhsimran Singh List A stats)

• As the stats reveal, Kushagra has better List-A numbers as compared to Prabhsimran.

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• He certainly has a better average (52.69), and has performed in tricky conditions; hence, he should be India A’s first-choice keeper in the series.

Nishant Sindhu: A handy all-rounder, Sindhu can play the role that Hardik was supposed to play for India A, had he been fit. In 46 matches, the player has grabbed 57 wickets, with an average of 25.82. Moreover, he has also scored 855 runs in this format.

Bowlers: Vipraj Nigam, Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur, Arshad Khan

Vipraj Nigam: Another player who has been backed by the Indian team management. Vipraj Nigam was picked for the India Asian Games 2026 squad, and the bowling all-rounder will look to get into the ODI team by performing at his best against the touring Australia A squad.

Gurjapneet Singh: Gurjapneet Singh might have only played in nine List-A games, but the pacer boasts a brilliant record, having picked up 17 wickets with an average of 20.41. He’ll hold the key for India with the ball inside the first 10 overs.

Yash Thakur: Yash Thakur has made his way into the Indian T20I team, and the pacer is also gunning for a place in the ODI squad. He has the pace and lines and lengths to trouble the Aussies, and also has the stats to back it up. In 57 List-A games, he has taken 90 wickets, and it showcases his wicket-taking ability.

Arshad Khan: Arshad Khan, the left-arm pacer, provides a different variety to the India A bowling lineup. He has the ability to nip the ball around both ways, and he can clock a decent speed to trouble the opposition batters.

India A strongest XI Vs Australia A in Hardik Pandya's absence

Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal [VC], Ruturaj Gaikwad [C], Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur, Arshad Khan

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