Pacer Ashok Sharma has been called up as a replacement for injured Yudhvir Singh in the India A squad competing in the 50-over tri-series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the squad change on 16 June, citing a right rotator cuff injury that has ruled Yudhvir out of the ongoing tournament.

Why Yudhvir Singh Was Ruled Out

Yudhvir Singh first reported discomfort in his right shoulder during a fielding session on 11 June, with the pain recurring while bowling on 13 June. Following consultation with a specialist, the BCCI Medical Team recommended that Yudhvir undergo a graduated rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) to ensure full recovery from the right rotator cuff injury.

'The Men's Selection Committee has named Ashok Sharma as a replacement for Yudhvir Singh in the India A squad for the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka,' the BCCI said in an official statement. 'Yudhvir reported discomfort in his right shoulder while bowling on 13th June and also experienced similar pain earlier during a fielding session on 11th June,' the statement added.

Ashok Sharma's Form and Recent Credentials

Ashok Sharma arrives in form, having made a notable impact in IPL 2026 with the Gujarat Titans, who finished as runners-up. He claimed six wickets across six matches and registered a delivery clocked at 154.2 kmph, underlining his raw pace. His breakout moment came in the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he was the tournament's top wicket-taker with 22 wickets in ten games — a performance that put him firmly on the national selectors' radar.

Ashok had previously represented India A in warm-up matches against USA and Namibia ahead of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, giving him prior exposure to the setup.

The Rajasthan-to-Gujarat Transfer

Ashok's call-up also coincides with his confirmed switch from Rajasthan to Gujarat for the upcoming domestic season. He has secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the move, making him the second player after leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi to transfer from Rajasthan to Gujarat in domestic cricket. According to sources, his consistent form and the Gujarat Titans' system have played a role in the transition.

Updated India A Squad

The revised India A squad for the tri-series is: Tilak Varma (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Vice-Captain), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, Anukul Roy, and Ashok Sharma. Ashok's inclusion strengthens the pace attack as India A seek to press their case in the ongoing series.