• Home
  • Cricket Analysis
  • Iyers Test Return On The Cards Key Takeaways From India A Squad For Australia A Series

Iyer's Test Return On The Cards; Key Takeaways From India A Squad For Australia A Series

Abhinav Tyagi

Shreyas Iyer Returns To India colour - (Source : @Johns/X.com)Shreyas Iyer Returns To India colour - (Source : @Johns/X.com)

On Saturday, September 6, the BCCI announced a 15-member squad of India A for the upcoming two unofficial multi-day matches against Australia A. Shreyas Iyer will return in red-ball cricket as the right-handed batter will lead the team in Ekana Stadium, which will host both the matches starting on September 16. 

Meanwhile, this article will shed light on the major takeaways from the squad for the Australia A Test. Let's first look at the squad.

Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (VC & WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur

It is worth noting that KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj will be added to the squad in the 2nd match. 

Major Takeaways From India A Squad

Shreyas Iyer Set For A Test Return

The BCCI had faced a lot of flak after they snubbed Shreyas Iyer from the Asia Cup squad despite heroics in IPL 2025 and leading the Punjab Kings to the final. However, the apex cricket board didn't make the same mistake this time around and have kept Iyer in the leadership option. 

With this, the BCCI is likely looking to bring Shreyas Iyer back to the Test set-up. Notably, the right-handed batter has not played a solitary Test since February 2024.

Further, with Rishabh Pant doubtful for the West Indies tests, the BCCI will likely not only include Iyer back in the team but also hand him the vice-captaincy, which is why they handed him the leadership of the India A team. It can be a similar case as Shubman Gill's return to the T20I set-up, where he also led the team. 

  • Iyer's Runs Across Formats since his last Test for India
TournamentMatches/InningsRunsAverageStrike Rate100s/50sNotes
Ranji Trophy 2024–257 innings48068.5790.22/2Mumbai’s top scorer 
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 24–258 matches28135.12162.40/3Led Mumbai to title 
Champions Trophy 20255 matches24348.60–1/1India’s top run-getter 


Rajat Patidar, Ruturaj Gaikwad Not In Scheme Of Things

Looking at the squad, most fit players, who are doing well in the domestic league, have been rewarded for their performance. Devdutt Padikkal, Narayan Jagadeesan, and Ayush Badoni have all made it to the squad, but Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar have been left out of the squad.

Notably, Gaikwad recently slammed a century in the Duleep Trophy, while Patidar nearly scored one. Thus, it seems that the BCCI and selectors are not interested in having Patidar and Gaikwad in the Test set-up.

It is likely that the apex cricket board of India want to save the two players for the ODI set-up and not be distracted by putting them in the Test set-up.

Nitish Kumar Reddy Recovers From Injury, Sarfaraz Yet To Recover

One of the positives for cricket fans is that Nitish Kumar Reddy has recovered from the knee injury he suffered during India's tour to England. It led to NKR's exclusion from the Asia Cup, but now the BCCI is looking to put him in the West Indies Tests to prove his match fitness.

Notably, Sarfaraz Khan continues to be injured and will be out for two to three weeks. 

Khaleel Ahmed Impresses Selectors

Another major takeaway from the squad is inclusion of Khaleel Ahmed. Notably, the left-arm seamer seems to be in scheme of things and the selectors are likely to pick the CSK star for upcoming series and might be seen featuring for India against West Indies in the upcoming two-match Test series.