Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge has been drafted into the India A squad for the three-match unofficial ODI series against Australia A, replacing the injured Hardik Pandya. The matches will be played in Puducherry on October 6, 9 and 11, all starting at 9:30 a.m. IST.

Hardik was ruled out after discomfort in his right calf during a fitness assessment on September 19. An MRI revealed very mild intramedullary edema consistent with right medial tibial stress syndrome. He was originally named in the squad announced on September 9, but team management has advised six to eight weeks of rest.

Shedge, 23, has recovered from a quadriceps injury at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He played three T20 internationals for India this June and July, and scored 147 runs in five outings for India A in Sri Lanka.

Ruturaj Gaikwad will captain the side with Devdutt Padikkal as vice-captain. Naman Dhir was replaced by Anukul Roy after joining India's T20I squad. Australia added Riley Meredith and Will Sutherland to their touring party.

Reporting based on: www.wisden.com, ianslive.in, www.crictracker.com.