Sai Sudharsan returns to open for India A against Australia A

B Sai Sudharsan will open the batting for India A in the first unofficial Test against Australia A starting Tuesday in Puducherry. The vice-captain returns from a toe stress fracture that ruled him out of India's Test series in Sri Lanka.

Devdutt Padikkal took Sudharsan's place at number three and scored two centuries. Sudharsan opened during India A's tour of Sri Lanka in July, scoring 132 and 168, and will compete with Aman Mokhade for the reserve opener's spot ahead of the New Zealand tour.

Australia A include several Test hopefuls, among them openers Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney and spinner Todd Murphy. The series offers both teams preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.