India A vs Australia A 2026: Puducherry to host multi-format series from Sep 22
Synopsis
Puducherry is hosting its first-ever full India A vs Australia A series — a landmark for the CAP and a critical audition for players on the national radar. Hardik Pandya's injury comeback and Sai Sudharsan's return from a toe injury make the limited-overs leg particularly high-stakes, while Peter Handscomb and Brendan Doggett headline a seasoned Australian A outfit.
Key Takeaways
India A vs Australia A series begins in Puducherry on 22 September 2026 — the city's first full A-team series.
Two unofficial four-day Tests ( 22–25 Sep and 29 Sep–2 Oct ) are followed by three one-dayers on 6, 9, and 11 October .
Hardik Pandya is included in the limited-overs squad, subject to fitness clearance after being out since IPL 2026 .
Devdutt Padikkal captains India A; Sai Sudharsan returns from a right toe injury across both formats.
Australia A are led by Peter Handscomb , with Brendan Doggett and Jhye Richardson headlining the red-ball squad.
CAP-Siechem Stadium holds 5,000 spectators; tickets available through the CAP office.
Puducherry is preparing to make cricket history as it stages its first full India A vs Australia A multi-format series, featuring two unofficial four-day red-ball matches and three one-day games at the CAP-Siechem Stadium. The fixtures begin on 22 September 2026, marking a landmark moment for the city's cricketing journey.
Schedule and Format
The first unofficial Test runs from 22 to 25 September, with the second red-ball game scheduled from 29 September to 2 October. The one-day component follows on 6, 9, and 11 October respectively. Both squads trained at the CAP-Siechem Stadium on Saturday ahead of the series opener.
Star-Studded Line-Ups on Both Sides
Australia A have named a strong 15-man squad for the multi-day games, headlined by Peter Handscomb, Ashes-winning pacer Brendan Doggett, and Jhye Richardson. For the 50-over fixtures, Mahli Beardman and Spencer Johnson add considerable firepower to the visiting side.
India A will be led by Test batter and captain Devdutt Padikkal, with Sai Sudharsan — returning from a right toe injury — featuring across both formats. Other capped players in the red-ball squad include Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj. Tripurana Vijay is set to replace the injured Vijaykumar Vyshak in the playing eleven.
The most eagerly watched inclusion is star seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been out of action since IPL 2026 due to various injuries. Pandya has been picked for the limited-overs leg of the series, with his participation subject to fitness clearance.
A Historic Milestone for Puducherry Cricket
Since becoming a full member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2019, the Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) has hosted under-19 international matches. This series, however, represents its first full A-team assignment, a significant step up in stature for the coastal union territory's cricketing infrastructure.
P Damodaren, founder of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry, said in a statement: 'This is a great opportunity for young Puducherry cricketers to witness live international cricket up close and draw inspiration from these players. The series is also a chance to showcase our world-class cricket facility to a global audience.'
Tickets and Attendance
According to CEO Mayank Mehta, spectators can contact the CAP office for tickets. 'The main stadium has a seating capacity of 5,000, and we look forward to a considerable turnout,' Mehta said. India A had also held a preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru ahead of the series.
With high-profile names on both sides and Puducherry's cricketing infrastructure under the global spotlight, the series is set to be one of the more consequential A-team assignments of the season.
Point of View
Hosting an entire A-team multi-format series is an infrastructure credibility test — one that could determine whether the CAP-Siechem Stadium enters the BCCI's rotation for higher-profile assignments. For selectors, the real subtext is Hardik Pandya: a fitness-dependent inclusion signals that India's think-tank is running out of patience waiting for him in a controlled environment, and a strong showing here could fast-track his international return. The absence of more established red-ball fringe players from the squad, however, raises questions about whether the selection panel is using this as a genuine Test preparatory ground or simply a rehab platform for IPL assets.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the India A vs Australia A series in Puducherry start?
The series begins on 22 September 2026 with the first unofficial four-day Test at CAP-Siechem Stadium in Puducherry. The second red-ball game runs from 29 September to 2 October, followed by three one-dayers on 6, 9, and 11 October.
Is Hardik Pandya playing in the India A vs Australia A series?
Hardik Pandya has been selected for the limited-overs leg of the series, but his participation is subject to a fitness clearance. He has been out of competitive cricket since IPL 2026 due to various injuries.
Why is this series significant for Puducherry cricket?
This is the first time the Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) is hosting an entire A-team series. The CAP became a full BCCI member only in 2019 and had previously hosted only under-19 international matches.
Who is captaining India A for this series?
Devdutt Padikkal , a Test batter, will captain India A across both formats. Sai Sudharsan is also part of both squads, returning from a right toe injury.
How can fans get tickets for the India A vs Australia A matches in Puducherry?
Tickets are available through the CAP office in Puducherry. The main stand at CAP-Siechem Stadium has a seating capacity of 5,000 , according to CEO Mayank Mehta.
