India announce squad for three unofficial ODIs against Australia as RCB star gets leadership duties

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed its squad for the upcoming three unofficial ODIs against Australia at home. For the opening clash, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s captain, Rajat Patidar, has been named the leader due to some notable players being absent due to the duties of the ongoing Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.

For the second and third games, Rajat Patidar will fill the role of the vice-captaincy to Tilak Verma, as Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh will return to the squad. The opening clash will be played on September 30 in Kapur’s Green Park Stadium before the second and third encounter takes place on October 03 and 05, respectively.

Prabhsimran Singh and Abhishek Porel have been selected for the wicket-keeping option along with Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Priyansh Arya, Ravi Bishnoi, Gurjapneet Singh, and others. Most of these players are currently busy during the ongoing final round of the Duleep Trophy 2025 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

India declare A-squad against Australia for three unofficial ODIs

This will be the first one-day fixture for the India-A side in more than two years, with the previous one taking place in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s Emerging Cup 2023 final, which they lost to the Pakistan Shaheens. Abhishek, Parag, Harshit Rana, and Nishant Sindhu were part of those sides.

These games will be vital for the team’s selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia down under. Many expected Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to feature in these A-games, but they are now expected to return only for the away series.

India A Squad for the opening unofficial ODI vs Australia

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 the second and third unofficial ODIs vs Australia

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.