Tushar Deshpande, part of the Rajasthan Royals setup in the Indian Premier League, will be in action when India A take on Australia A in two multi-day cricket matches in Puducherry, starting Tuesday.

The first India A vs Australia A 2026 unofficial Test will be played from September 22 to 25, while the second is scheduled from September 29 to October 2. Both IND-A vs AUS-A multi-day matches will start live at 9:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).

Deshpande heads into the India A assignment following a solid outing for West Zone in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy.

The 31-year-old right-arm pacer returned figures of 4/57 in the first innings of the quarter-final against North Zone, who were bowled out for 251. West Zone, however, lost the four-day contest by 52 runs.

An experienced campaigner in red-ball cricket, Deshpande has taken 129 wickets in 47 first-class matches at an average of 28.75. His career-best innings figures stand at 6/70.

He has also scored 709 runs in first-class cricket, including a century and a fifty.

Deshpande represented the Royals in seven matches during the IPL 2026. He has been part of the RR setup since IPL 2025 and was retained ahead of the 2026 season.

Devdutt Padikkal will captain India A in the two multi-day matches, with Sai Sudharsan serving as his deputy.

Australia A, meanwhile, have named a squad featuring Test-capped players Peter Handscomb, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Todd Murphy. Jhye Richardson and Brendan Doggett are among the fast-bowling options in the touring party.

The two multi-day matches will be followed by three one-day games in Puducherry on October 6, 9 and 11. Deshpande has only been selected for the multi-day leg of the series.

India A vs Australia A 2026 unofficial Test schedule and live match start times

All times in Indian Standard Time (IST)

  • September 22-25, Tuesday-Friday: India A vs Australia A, 1st multi-day match, Puducherry - 9:30 AM
  • September 29-October 2, Tuesday-Friday: India A vs Australia A, 2nd multi-day match, Puducherry - 9:30 AM

India A vs Australia A 2026 multi-day series squads

India A cricket team: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (captain), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra (wicket-keeper), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan (wicket-keeper), Nachiket Bhute, V Vyshak*.

Australia A cricket team: Brendan Doggett, Jack Edwards, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott.

*Subject to fitness clearance.