Tilak Varma to captain India A in Sri Lanka tri-series; Sooryavanshi, Priyansh named
Synopsis
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — the teenager who lit up the Under-19 World Cup and is currently blazing through IPL 2026 at a strike-rate above 236 — gets his India 'A' call-up for the Sri Lanka tri-series, the clearest signal yet that selectors are fast-tracking him toward senior contention. Tilak Varma leads a squad packed with IPL form.
Key Takeaways
Tilak Varma named captain of India 'A' for the 50-over tri-series in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from 9–21 June .
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earns his first India 'A' call-up after scoring 440 runs in 11 IPL 2026 games at a strike-rate of 236.56 for Rajasthan Royals .
Priyansh Arya also included after making 342 runs in 10 games at a strike-rate of 226.49 for Punjab Kings .
Riyan Parag named vice-captain; Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra are the two wicketkeepers.
Anshul Kamboj , IPL 2026's third-highest wicket-taker with 19 scalps , leads the pace attack.
India 'A' will also play two multi-day red-ball matches against Sri Lanka 'A' in Galle ; squad to be announced later.
Tilak Varma has been appointed captain of India 'A' for the upcoming 50-over tri-series in Sri Lanka, scheduled from 9 to 21 June in Dambulla. The senior men's selection committee announced the squad on Thursday, 14 May, with explosive young openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Priyansh Arya earning notable inclusions alongside an experienced core.
Key Inclusions in the Squad
The most talked-about selection is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the left-handed opener who is making his debut in the India 'A' setup. Sooryavanshi had an unforgettable run at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, winning both the Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament awards as India lifted the title. He has carried that momentum into IPL 2026, amassing 440 runs in 11 games for the Rajasthan Royals at a stunning strike-rate of 236.56.
Priyansh Arya is another power-hitting inclusion riding a rich vein of form. The Punjab Kings batter has scored 342 runs in ten IPL 2026 games at a strike-rate of 226.49, cementing his case as one of the most destructive top-order batters on the domestic circuit right now.
Tilak's Leadership Credentials
Tilak's appointment as skipper is a continuation of a role he has held for some time. He led India 'A' at the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup in October 2024 and captained the side again during the one-day series against South Africa 'A' in November 2024. Riyan Parag has been named vice-captain for the Sri Lanka assignment.
Full Squad Breakdown
The batting unit also features Ayush Badoni and Nishant Sindhu, while Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra have been named as the two wicketkeepers. The pace attack will be led by Anshul Kamboj — the third-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing IPL season with 19 scalps — alongside Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, and Arshad Khan. Harsh Dubey, Vipraj Nigam, and Suryansh Shedge round out the squad.
Tournament Schedule and Format
The tri-series also features hosts Sri Lanka 'A' and Afghanistan 'A'. India 'A' open their campaign against Sri Lanka 'A' on 9 June, followed by a clash with Afghanistan 'A' on 11 June. The round-robin stage runs until 19 June, with the final on 21 June. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that India 'A' will also play two multi-day red-ball matches against Sri Lanka 'A' in Galle, with the squad for those fixtures to be announced separately.
What to Watch
The tri-series serves as a key proving ground for India's next generation ahead of a packed international calendar. Sooryavanshi's ability to translate T20 pyrotechnics into the 50-over format will be closely watched, as will Tilak's growth as a white-ball leader. The red-ball matches in Galle add a Test dimension that could shape future national squad conversations.
Point of View
A departure from traditional BCCI patience. The 50-over format will test whether his T20 instincts translate, and that answer matters: India's ODI top-order has an ageing profile ahead of the next World Cup cycle. Tilak's continued captaincy is equally deliberate — the selectors are building a leadership pipeline, not just a playing XI. The Galle red-ball fixtures, quietly tucked into the announcement, suggest the board is also keeping Test futures in view for this cohort.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain India 'A' in the Sri Lanka tri-series?
Tilak Varma has been named captain of India 'A' for the 50-over tri-series in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, from 9 to 21 June. He has previously led India 'A' at the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup in October 2024 and in the one-day series against South Africa 'A' in November 2024.
Which teams are part of the Sri Lanka tri-series?
The tri-series features India 'A', Sri Lanka 'A', and Afghanistan 'A', with all matches to be played in Dambulla. India 'A' open against Sri Lanka 'A' on 9 June, face Afghanistan 'A' on 11 June, and the final is scheduled for 21 June.
Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's selection significant?
This is the first time Sooryavanshi has been named in an India 'A' squad, marking a rapid rise from the Under-19 level. He won Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament at the Under-19 World Cup and has scored 440 runs in 11 IPL 2026 games at a strike-rate of 236.56 for Rajasthan Royals.
What is Priyansh Arya's recent form ahead of the tri-series?
Priyansh Arya has scored 342 runs in ten IPL 2026 games for Punjab Kings at a strike-rate of 226.49, making him one of the most destructive openers in the current domestic season. His inclusion in India 'A' reflects that consistent explosive form.
Will India 'A' play any red-ball cricket in Sri Lanka?
Yes. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that India 'A' are also scheduled to play two multi-day red-ball matches against Sri Lanka 'A' in Galle. The squad for those fixtures will be announced at a later date.
