Australia's cricket teams are gearing up for a busy schedule of tours, with the men's Australia A side set to face India A in September and October 2026. This tour will provide valuable experience for players ahead of the 2027 Test series in India. The men's Australia A tour is significant as it will feature a mix of four-day and 50-over matches, offering a comprehensive test of the team's skills. The tour will also see the women's Australia A side and the men's Under-19 team in India, providing further opportunities for development and exposure.
The men's Australia A tour will take place in Puducherry and will include two four-day matches from September 22-25 and September 29-October 2, followed by three 50-over matches on October 6, 9, and 11. This tour will be a crucial stepping stone for players like Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, and Cooper Connolly, who previously played in a similar tour to India in 2025. The 2025 tour saw Konstas make a century, Campbell Kellaway score 88, and Connolly contribute 70, with McSweeney's standout performances in both matches.
The women's Australia A tour will also be a multi-format series, with two T20 matches in Mohali on September 12 and 15, followed by three 50-over matches in Dharamsala on September 17, 20, and 23. A four-day game will be played in Dharamsala from September 29 to October 2. This tour will provide an opportunity for fringe players to push for a spot on Australia's multi-format tour of India in 2027-28.
The men's Under-19 side will face the reigning Under-19 World Cup winners, India, in three 50-over matches in Rajkot on September 18, 21, and 23. They will then play four-day matches in Rajkot from September 27 and Ahmedabad from October 5. The series will feature India's 15-year-old phenom, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made a 62-ball 104 in the 1st youth Test in Chennai as a 13-year-old. This tour will be a valuable learning experience for the young Australian players.
The upcoming tours will provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience. With the 2027 Test series in India on the horizon, these tours will be crucial in preparing the teams for the challenge ahead. The tours will also offer a chance for players to push for selection and make their mark on the international stage. As Alex Malcolm, an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo, notes, these tours will be a significant part of the development process for Australia's cricket teams.
