Zillar Barta Desk : Australian fast bowler Brendan Doggett is hoping to use the upcoming Australia A tour of India as an opportunity to strengthen his case for a place in Australia’s Test squad for next year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Doggett is part of the Australia A squad that will face India A in two four-day matches and three one-day games in Puducherry. The first four-day match is scheduled for September 22–25, followed by the second from September 29 to October 2.
The pacer has already experienced Test cricket, making his debut during the Ashes last year. He played two Tests and claimed seven wickets, earning a Cricket Australia central contract for the 2026-27 season.
Doggett now faces strong competition for places in Australia’s pace attack, with established quicks including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland. He acknowledged the depth of fast bowling in Australia but said his focus was on staying fit and performing whenever an opportunity comes his way.
The India A series will also be important for Doggett's preparation for subcontinental conditions. The 30-year-old is returning to competitive cricket after suffering a major hamstring injury in February and has spent the past two months back to full fitness. He has also undertaken heat-adaptation work and built up his bowling workload ahead of the tour.
With Australia scheduled to travel to India for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series early next year, Doggett sees the A tour as an opportunity to gain valuable experience of Indian conditions. He has said that playing Test cricket in India is a major ambition and hopes his performances can put him in contention for the senior squad.
Australia’s selectors have described the A tour as an important part of developing players for subcontinental conditions and assessing those who could be included in the squad for the India Test series. Doggett’s performances in Puducherry will therefore provide another opportunity for him to press his case.
