Former India fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji has been handed a major coaching responsibility, taking charge of the India A team for the upcoming home series against Australia A in Puducherry. Reports on September 20 confirmed Balaji's appointment as head coach for the multi-format assignment.
The five-match series begins on September 22, 2026, and features two multi-day matches followed by three one-day games. The assignment will bring together several established domestic performers and emerging Indian cricketers, providing them with valuable experience against a strong Australia A side.
The BCCI had earlier officially announced the India A squads and complete schedule for the series. Devdutt Padikkal will captain the multi-day team, while Ruturaj Gaikwad has been given responsibility for the one-day side.
Lakshmipathy Balaji Takes Charge of India A
Balaji brings considerable playing and coaching experience to the role.
The former pacer represented India in all three international formats. He played eight Tests, 30 ODIs and five T20Is during his international career.
After his playing career, Balaji moved into coaching and has worked in the IPL, including coaching roles with Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. His experience working with fast bowlers and domestic players will now be used in the India A setup.
The Australia A series gives Balaji an opportunity to work closely with players who are either pushing for senior international selection or attempting to establish themselves higher up India's cricketing pathway.
India A vs Australia A: Full Schedule
All five matches of the series are scheduled to be played in Puducherry.
The first multi-day match will run from September 22 to September 25, followed by the second from September 29 to October 2.
The white-ball leg will then begin with the first one-day game on October 6. The second match will be played on October 9, while the third and final one-day game is scheduled for October 11.
The schedule gives players exposure to both longer-format and limited-overs cricket during the same tour.
Devdutt Padikkal to Lead Multi-Day Team
India A will have different captains for the two formats.
Devdutt Padikkal has been named captain for the two multi-day matches, with Sai Sudharsan serving as vice-captain. The squad contains a mix of batters, wicketkeepers, spin options and fast bowlers.
The originally announced multi-day squad included Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan, Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak.
The BCCI's initial announcement listed V Vyshak subject to fitness clearance. Subsequent reports said Andhra off-spinner Tripurana Vijay was brought into the multi-day setup after Vyshak was ruled out because of injury.
Ruturaj Gaikwad to Captain One-Day Side
For the three one-day matches, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed India A captain, while Devdutt Padikkal is vice-captain.
The BCCI's originally announced one-day squad consisted of Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya, Prabhsimran Singh, Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur.
Hardik Pandya was included subject to fitness clearance, making his availability one of the notable points surrounding the one-day leg.
T Vijay Comes Into the One-Day Squad
There has also been a change to the one-day squad.
Tripurana Vijay has been brought in as a replacement for Vipraj Nigam. Nigam was subsequently selected for India's Asian Games squad after Varun Chakaravarthy was ruled out with a side strain.
Vijay's inclusion provides India A with another off-spin option for the limited-overs matches against Australia A.
India A Multi-Day Squad
Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (Captain), Sai Sudharsan (Vice-Captain), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan (WK), Nachiket Bhute and V Vyshak*.
*V Vyshak was originally named subject to fitness clearance; subsequent reports said T Vijay replaced him after injury.
India A One-Day Squad
Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (WK), Nishant Sindhu, T Vijay, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya*, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur.
*Hardik Pandya's inclusion was announced subject to fitness clearance.
Important Opportunity for India's Emerging Players
India A tours and home series play an important role in providing players with high-level competitive experience outside the senior international team.
Facing Australia A across both multi-day and one-day cricket will give several players an opportunity to demonstrate their skills against quality opposition. It also gives the team management a chance to assess players across different formats and match situations.
For Balaji, the assignment marks an important coaching responsibility with India A. With Padikkal leading the longer-format side and Gaikwad captaining the one-day team, attention will now turn to Puducherry as the five-match series gets underway on September 22.
