Meet Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The Young Star Set to Shine in India A's Tri-Series

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Joins India A for Tri-Nation Series

New Delhi: The talented teenage batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been selected for the 15-member India A team participating in a tri-nation 50-over series in Sri Lanka, commencing on June 9.

The tournament will also feature Afghanistan A alongside the host nation, with matches scheduled to take place in Dambulla. Additionally, India A is set to engage in two four-day 'Tests' in Galle, with the squad for those matches to be announced at a later date.

Sooryavanshi's inclusion is part of the selectors' strategy to evaluate his performance with the Pathways squad (India A) ahead of the senior team's upcoming tour of the UK, which includes matches in Ireland and England starting June 26. The tri-nation series will conclude on June 21.

The average age of the squad is approximately 23 years, with only pace bowlers Arshad Khan, Yudhvir Singh, and Yash Thakur being over 25. Notably, no player exceeds the age of 30, and all have demonstrated their skills in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Day Championship) and have IPL contracts.

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

In the squad, Anshul Kamboj (Test), Riyan Parag, and Tilak Varma (T20Is and ODIs) have already represented the senior 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 includes Dubey, Shedge, and Vipraj Nigam, while Prabhsimran and Kumar Kushagra will serve as wicketkeepers.

India A will face 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.