The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the squads for two significant domestic fixtures: the three-match one-day series between India A and Australia A, and the Irani Cup 2025 clash between Rest of India (ROI) and Vidarbha. The selection reflects a blend of strategic foresight, workload management, and a sharp focus on India’s future bench strength. With Shreyas Iyer leading the white-ball India A squad and Rajat Patidar captaining the ROI side, the selectors have carefully structured these units to balance experience and emerging talent.
Shreyas Iyer to Lead India A Against Australia A in Kanpur
Returning to white-ball responsibilities, Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of the India A squad for the three-match one-day series against Australia A. All matches will be held in Kanpur, commencing from September 30, 2025. This appointment marks a key opportunity for Iyer to find rhythm and continuity in limited-overs cricket following his injury setbacks and brief stints in the national side.
Iyer Takes Break from Red-Ball Cricket
Significantly, Iyer has opted out of the upcoming Irani Cup fixture, which begins on October 1 in Nagpur. The 29-year-old has officially informed the BCCI of his decision to take a six-month hiatus from red-ball cricket. This move stems from persistent back spasms and stiffness experienced during long-format games, despite recovering from his major back surgery in the UK last year. While his withdrawal from the red-ball format might impact his Test prospects temporarily, it allows him to focus on preparing for critical white-ball events in the international calendar.
India A Squad Analysis: Depth and Development Focus
The selectors have named two different squads for the three-match series against Australia A. Iyer will lead all three games, while Tilak Varma takes up vice-captaincy duties for the second and third ODIs. The squads feature a mix of domestic powerhouses, IPL standouts, and age-group level prodigies – a deliberate move to test combinations and provide exposure.
India A Squad for 1st One-Day Match:
- Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
- Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper)
- Riyan Parag
- Ayush Badoni
- Suryansh Shedge
- Vipraj Nigam
- Nishant Sindhu
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Yudhvir Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Abhishek Porel (Wicketkeeper)
- Priyansh Arya
- Simarjeet Singh
India A Squad for 2nd and 3rd One-Day Matches:
- Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
- Tilak Verma (Vice-Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper)
- Riyan Parag
- Ayush Badoni
- Suryansh Shedge
- Vipraj Nigam
- Nishant Sindhu
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Yudhvir Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Abhishek Porel (Wicketkeeper)
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
The inclusion of young IPL performers like Riyan Parag, Tilak Verma, and Prabhsimran Singh signifies the growing importance of domestic T20 success as a selection barometer. The presence of seasoned bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi will lend much-needed experience to the bowling attack.
Rajat Patidar to Lead Rest of India in Irani Cup 2025
In the red-ball arena, the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup showdown against 2024-25 Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha will be led by Madhya Pradesh’s Rajat Patidar. Patidar, a consistent performer in domestic cricket and a key batter for RCB in the IPL, has been rewarded for his performances with leadership duties.
Rest of India Squad for Irani Cup:
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (Vice-Captain)
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Aryan Juyal (Wicketkeeper)
- Yash Dhull
- Shaikh Rasheed
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
- Tanush Kotian
- Manav Suthar
- Gurnoor Brar
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Akash Deep
- Anshul Kamboj
- Saransh Jain
The squad is a robust mix of proven domestic veterans like Easwaran and Gaikwad, as well as emerging names like Yash Dhull and Shaikh Rasheed. Two wicketkeepers – Aryan Juyal and Ishan Kishan – offer both flexibility and attacking options. Kishan, in particular, will be closely monitored as selectors continue evaluating red-ball options.
Selection Strategy: A Balancing Act
The bifurcation of squads showcases BCCI’s layered approach to player development and workload management. With marquee international fixtures on the horizon, the selectors are offering ample opportunities for players on the fringe of national contention to prove their readiness. Notably, both squads also reflect India’s depth in talent across formats.
Shreyas Iyer’s temporary break from red-ball cricket allows for the likes of Patidar, Gaikwad, and Dhull to showcase their long-format mettle, while the Australia A series is a fertile proving ground for future ODI players ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
Building for the Future
The announcement of India A and ROI squads signifies the BCCI’s commitment to grooming the next generation of Indian cricketers through competitive exposure. Whether it’s the fast-paced ODIs against Australia A or the prestige of the Irani Cup, both assignments carry weight and will influence future national selections. All eyes will now be on Kanpur and Nagpur as these fixtures unfold, with fans eager to witness the rise of new heroes and the return of seasoned warriors like Shreyas Iyer.
Please check for information on the best betting sites in India – https://selectory.org/best-betting-sites/