• Source:JND

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has been appointed captain of the India A squad for the upcoming multi-day series against Sri Lanka A. The selection also marks a major milestone for Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Auqib Nabi, who has earned his maiden call-up to the India A setup.

The squad was announced on Saturday by the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. Devdutt Padikkal has been named vice-captain for the tour.

India A will play two four-day matches against Sri Lanka A in Galle between June 25 and July 5. The series will serve as important preparation ahead of India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in August as part of the World Test Championship cycle.

ALSO READ: Will Virat Kohli Play In England ODIs After Injury In IPL Final? Ajit Agarkar Shares Update

With conditions in Sri Lanka expected to assist spin, the tour will help players adjust to turning tracks and the red Kookaburra ball.

The batting group features Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and N Jagadeesan. Vidarbha batter Aman Mokhade and Andhra Pradesh's Shaik Rasheed have also received their first India A call-ups.

The pace attack includes Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar. Notably, Brar is currently part of India's Test squad for the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Auqib’s selection comes on the back of an outstanding domestic season. The Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets and played a key role in helping his team win their maiden title earlier this year.

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli Set to Miss ODI Series Against Afghanistan, BCCI Names Replacement

The spin department will be led by leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, off-spinner Saransh Jain and all-rounder Ayush Badoni.

Interestingly, both Auqib and Zeeshan were part of India's net bowling group during preparations for the Afghanistan Test in New Chandigarh.

Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Badoni, Yash Thakur and Anshul Kamboj are already in Sri Lanka, where they are taking part in the India A team's 50-over tri-series campaign that begins on June 9 in Dambulla.

India A squad for multi-day games in Sri Lanka: Dhruv Jurel (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N Jagadeesan, Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, and Zeeshan Ansari


Also In News