Following the limited-overs series, India A is also scheduled to play two multi-day matches in Galle, with the team announcement for those fixtures to come later.
Selectors have included Sooryavanshi in the Pathways squad to evaluate his performance at the India A level before deciding on his potential inclusion in the senior squad for the forthcoming tour of the United Kingdom, which features matches in Ireland and England beginning June 26. The tri-series will conclude on June 21.
An overview of the 15-member squad reveals that the team’s average age is approximately 23 years. Only pace bowlers Arshad Khan, Yudhvir Singh, and Yash Thakur are older than 25, while no player exceeds the age of 30. All team members have had successful runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Day Championship) and have IPL contracts.
In addition to Tilak and vice-captain Riyan Parag, key players for MI and Rajasthan Royals respectively, Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge (both PBKS), Harsh Dubey (SRH), Nishant Sindhu, Arshad Khan (both GT), and Badoni (LSG) have all been regular starters at different points in this IPL season.
Of the squad, Anshul Kamboj (Test), Riyan Parag, and Tilak Varma (T20Is and ODIs) have made appearances for the senior team, while Ayush Badoni was selected for the Indian squad earlier this year but did not play.
Tilak has previously captained the India A squad, and Arya scored a century against Australia A last year.
The spinners in the squad are Dubey, Shedge, and Vipraj Nigam, with Prabhsimran and Kumar Kushagra serving as the wicketkeepers.
India A will face Sri Lanka A (June 9 and 15) and Afghanistan A (June 11 and 17) twice, with the top two teams competing in 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.
(With PTI inputs)
