Australia squad vs India A announced. Image Credits: AFP
In a massive development, Cricket Australia have announced their squads for the India tour of the Australia A squad, where, for the first time, an Indian-born player has been selected to travel to the subcontinent for a one-day match against India A.
CA announced the squad for the two-match Test series against India starting from September 22, and a three-match one-day encounter against India A starting from October 6.
Both these squads will be travelling to the Asian side as contenders for the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour, which is only four months away.
Nikhil Chaudhary gets ODI call-up against India A
The one-day squad will feature multiple names like Mahli Beardman, Sam Konstas, Todd Murphy, Liam Scott, and Lachlan Shaw. However, one name that attracts attention is Nikhil Chaudhary. Nikhil will be playing for Australia A in a List A or ODI match for the first time, as an Indian-born cricketer.
Born in Delhi in 1996, he has represented Australia earlier in three T20I matches, where he scalped two wickets with his leg spin.
For the unaware, Nikhil, who is yet to obtain his Australian citizenship, holds permanent residency after being stranded in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. That led to his travelling and cricketing ambitions down under.
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After working in several jobs to support himself, including shifts in restaurants, Choudhary has finally found an opportunity to travel to India, but while representing his cricketing nation, Australia.
Other than Nikhil Choudhary, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, the most experienced of the squad, will also be there alongside Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Josh Philippe and others.
Australia A one-day squad: Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachlan Shaw
Cricket Australia have also revealed the four-day squad against India A, featuring Peter Handscomb, Jhye Richardson and Corey Rocchiccioli.
Australia A Test squad announced for India tour
The Australia A squad for the two-match four-day tour will feature Ashes-winning bowler Brendan Doggett alongside Jhye Richardson, who will be adding considerable firepower to the 15-man squad.
The most interesting aspect of the squad, however, has been Peter Handscomb's call-up, whose Test comeback hopes have been brought alive after the veteran batter was named in the tour.
Interestingly, Handscomb has not featured in international cricket since playing in the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour in 2023. Alongside him, Sam Konstas has been named in the Test squad too, alongside Nathan McSweeney and Todd Murphy besides their ODI stints against India A.
Australia A four-day squad: Brendan Doggett, Jack Edwards, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott
Players to keep an eye out for in the Australia A vs India A series
Peter Handscomb is definitely one of the players to look out for in the series. The Melbourne-born have averaged 34.48 in the recent Sheffield Shield season and makes a compelling case as a red-ball batter who can break into the national side once again if he gains back his mojo in the India A tour.
Konstas, who made his maiden debut on December 24 during the 4th Test of the BGT, has since experienced mixed results. His Test match numbers have dipped post the India series, and in the recent Sheffield Shield season, he averaged 33.00 with only one century and two half centuries to his name. A bounce back from the 20-year-old will be a worthy watch in subcontinental conditions.
Nikhil Chaudhary will be another yet one of the most important players that Australia would like to keep an eye on. The 30-year-old played in the Australia One Day Cup 2025-26, bagging 8 wickets from 6 innings.
Chaudhary’s recent performances in The Hundred 2026 have also not been super impressive, but make a good case since his batting is handy. At No. 6 or lower, he can be a solid asset as an all-rounder besides his off-spin ability, which will further open up on Indian conditions.
Other than these three, players like Jack Edwards, Lachlan Shaw and Spencer Johnson will also be good watches, with Johnson being the one with some experience on Indian soil because of his IPL stints.
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