Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Joins India A Squad for Tri-Nation Series in Sri Lanka

India A Squad Announced for Sri Lanka Series

On Thursday, the selection committee revealed that the talented teenage batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been included in the 15-member India A team, which will be led by Tilak Varma, for the upcoming tri-nation 50-over series in Sri Lanka, commencing on June 9.

The tournament will feature Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A, with matches scheduled to take place in Dambulla. Additionally, India A is set to engage in two multi-day (4-day) 'Tests' in Galle, with the squad for those matches to be announced at a later date.

Sooryavanshi's selection is part of a strategy by the selectors to evaluate his performance with the Pathways squad (India A) ahead of the senior team's tour to the United Kingdom (Ireland and England) starting June 26. The tri-nation series will conclude on June 21.

Analyzing the squad, it is noted that the average age is approximately 23 years. Only pace bowlers Arshad Khan, Yudhvir Singh, and Yash Thakur are over 25, while no player exceeds 30 years of age. All members have demonstrated their skills in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Day Championship) and are associated with IPL franchises.

Key players include Tilak and vice-captain Riyan Parag, who represent MI and Rajasthan Royals, respectively. Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Suryansh Shedge (both PBKS), Harsh Dubey (SRH), Nishant Sindhu, Arshad Khan (both GT), and Badoni (LSG) have all been regulars in their respective IPL teams this season.

Among the squad, Anshul Kamboj (Test), Riyan Parag, and Tilak Varma (T20Is and ODIs) have already made appearances for the senior national team, while Ayush Badoni was selected earlier this year but did not play.

Tilak has previously captained the India A squad, and Arya notably scored a century against Australia A last year.

The spin department features Dubey, Shedge, and Vipraj Nigam, while Prabhsimran and Kumar Kushagra will serve as wicketkeepers.

India A's schedule includes matches against Sri Lanka A on June 9 and 15, and Afghanistan A on June 11 and 17, with the top two teams advancing to the final on June 21.

India A squad for the tri-series: Tilak Varma (Captain), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (Vice-Captain), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan.