Tushar Deshpande, part of the Rajasthan Royals setup in the Indian Premier League, has been named in the India A cricket team for the upcoming two multi-day matches against Australia A in Puducherry.
The 31-year-old right-arm pacer is part of a 15-member India A squad led by Devdutt Padikkal, with Sai Sudharsan named vice-captain.
The first four-day match will be played from September 22 to 25, while the second is scheduled from September 29 to October 2. Both matches will be held in Puducherry.
Deshpande heads into the India A assignment after an impressive outing in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy 2026.
Representing West Zone against North Zone in the quarter-finals, the right-arm pacer returned figures of 4/57 in the first innings as North Zone were bowled out for 251.
West Zone, however, went on to lose the four-day contest by 52 runs and were knocked out of the tournament.
An experienced campaigner in red-ball cricket, Deshpande has played 47 first-class matches, taking 129 wickets at an average of 28.75. His career-best bowling figures in an innings stand at 6/70.
He has also contributed with the bat in the format, scoring 709 runs, which includes a century and a fifty.
Deshpande represented Rajasthan Royals in seven matches during the Indian Premier League 2026. He has been part of the Royals setup since 2025 and was retained ahead of the 2026 season.
The India A-Australia A series also includes three one-day matches on October 6, 9 and 11. Deshpande, however, has only been selected for the multi-day leg.
India A squad for 2026 multi-day matches against Australia A
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*.
*Subject to fitness clearance.
