Anukul Roy joins India A squad for Sri Lanka tri-series, replaces Harsh Dubey
Synopsis
Harsh Dubey's promotion to India's senior Test and ODI squads has opened the door for Anukul Roy in India A — and the bigger talking point is 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earning his first India A berth. The Dambulla tri-series (9-21 June) is shaping up as a genuine audition stage for India's next wave.
Key Takeaways
Anukul Roy (27) has been added to the India A squad for the Sri Lanka tri-series (9–21 June, Dambulla) , replacing Harsh Dubey .
Harsh Dubey received his maiden call-up to India's senior Test and ODI squads for the home series against Afghanistan .
Tilak Varma captains the side; Riyan Parag is vice-captain.
Roy took 14 wickets in the ICC U19 World Cup 2018 and scored 303 runs at an average of 60.60 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 .
15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi receives his first India A call-up.
The tri-series also features Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A ; the final is on 21 June .
All-rounder Anukul Roy has been drafted into the India A squad for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka, replacing Harsh Dubey, who earned his maiden call-up to India's senior Test and ODI squads for the home series against Afghanistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the change on 21 May.
Tournament Details
The tri-series is scheduled from 9 to 21 June in Dambulla, featuring India A, Sri Lanka A, and Afghanistan A. Tilak Varma has been named captain, with Riyan Parag serving as vice-captain. India A open their campaign against Sri Lanka A on 9 June, face Afghanistan A on 11 June, and the round-robin stage runs through 19 June, with the final on 21 June.
Who Is Anukul Roy
The 27-year-old left-arm spinner first drew national attention as the joint-highest wicket-taker in India's victorious ICC Men's U19 World Cup 2018 campaign, claiming 14 wickets. Mumbai Indians signed him for ₹20 lakh that same year, though he featured in just one game across four seasons. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) then acquired him for ₹20 lakh at the 2022 IPL auction, and he has remained with the franchise since.
Recent Form
Roy has been among KKR's dependable contributors in IPL 2026, taking 8 wickets and scoring 43 runs. His batting credentials were on fuller display in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, where he finished as the third-highest run-scorer, amassing 303 runs in 10 innings at an average of 60.60 and a strike rate of 160.31, playing several match-winning cameos in Jharkhand's title run.
Full Squad and Notable Inclusions
The updated squad features Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra as wicketkeepers, and Anshul Kamboj — the third-highest wicket-taker in the domestic circuit with 19 scalps — leading the pace attack alongside Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, and Arshad Khan. Notably, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has received his first India A call-up, underlining the selectors' intent to blood the next generation early. The full squad: Tilak Varma (C), Riyan Parag (VC), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, Anukul Roy.
With the tri-series serving as a key proving ground ahead of a busy international calendar, India A's squad depth — blending seasoned IPL performers with emerging domestic talent — will be closely watched by the senior selection committee.
Point of View
But the real signal from the selectors is the inclusion of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose India A debut at that age is a statement of intent. Roy's own trajectory is instructive: six years of IPL marginalisation followed by a breakout domestic season is exactly the kind of second-chance story the A programme is designed to produce. The selectors appear to be using Dambulla less as a preparation camp and more as a live accelerator for players on the fringes of senior contention.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Anukul Roy added to the India A squad?
Anukul Roy was added to replace Harsh Dubey, who was promoted to India's senior Test and ODI squads for the home series against Afghanistan. The BCCI confirmed the change on 21 May.
Where and when is the India A tri-series being held?
The tri-series is scheduled from 9 to 21 June in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, featuring India A, Sri Lanka A, and Afghanistan A. The final is on 21 June.
Who is captaining India A for the Sri Lanka tri-series?
Tilak Varma has been named captain of India A, with Riyan Parag as vice-captain for the Dambulla tri-series.
What is Anukul Roy's cricket background?
Roy is a 27-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder who was the joint-highest wicket-taker (14 wickets) in India's ICC U19 World Cup 2018 win. He has played for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, and scored 303 runs at an average of 60.60 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.
Who is the youngest player in India A's squad for this tri-series?
15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been included in the India A squad for the first time, making him the youngest member of the touring party for the Dambulla tri-series.
