India ODI superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return to national duties will continue to be delayed as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced their white-ball squads for the forthcoming three-match home series against Australia, starting September 30 in Kanpur.
Contrary to reports over the fortnight which hinted that both Rohit and Kohli could be in the running for some preparatory games ahead of the Australia tour in October, the BCCI named Rajat Patidar as the skipper of the first match of the series against Australia A, while Tilak Varma was picked as captaing for the subsequent games following his Asia Cup duties. With India slated to start its home Test season from October 2, the selectors have blood in a band of promising talent to take on the Aussies in the white-ball leg of the series.
The three one-day matches will be played on September 30, October 3, and October 5, 2025, with all fixtures scheduled at Green Park Stadium starting at 1:30 PM IST.
Spotlight back on Patidar
After leading RCB to the IPL 2025 title, Patidar has begun to chart his comeback into the national radar with prolific scoring in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Leading Central Zone, Patidar has smashed four successive fifty-plus scores in the tournament, including two tons with a 101 in the first innings in the final against South Zone in Bengaluru. Joining him on the batting front are a slew of all-rounders in Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam. Following a breakout IPL season with the Punjab Kings, the selectors have also roped in dashing opener Priyansh Arya into the squad with Prabhsimran Singh and Abishek Porel listed as the wicket-keepers.
India A squads for Australia A ODI series
India A squad for the 1st one-day match: Rajat Patidar (Captain), Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Priyansh Arya, Simarjeet Singh.
India A squad for 2nd and 3rd one-day: Tilak Varma (Captain), Rajat Patidar (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh.
