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Ruturaj Gaikwad has been added to the India A squad for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka, with the Men's Selection Committee naming him as replacement for Riyan Parag.
The tournament will be played in Dambulla from June 9 to June 21, featuring India A, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. Gaikwad will also serve as vice-captain of the updated squad, while Tilak Varma continues as captain. Parag has been ruled out because of a hamstring injury, and his rehabilitation will be managed by the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Ruturaj Gaikwad replaces Riyan Parag in India A squad
The BCCI confirmed the change through a media advisory on May 31. Riyan Parag was originally named vice-captain of the India A squad but will now miss the tri-series due to his hamstring issue.
Gaikwad's inclusion brings experience to a young squad that has largely been picked with an eye on India’s white-ball transition. Most of the players are in their early 20s, and several were regulars during IPL 2026.
Earlier, the selectors had also added Anukul Roy to the squad as replacement for Harsh Dubey, who received his maiden call-up to India's Test and ODI squads for the Afghanistan series.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in focus
One of the biggest names in the squad remains Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The teenage Rajasthan Royals opener was picked after a sensational IPL 2026 season and is expected to be closely monitored before India’s upcoming UK tour, which includes matches against Ireland and England from June 26.
Selectors are understood to see this tri-series as a pathway opportunity for Sooryavanshi before any possible senior-team step. The 50-over format also gives him a different challenge after his explosive IPL campaign.
The squad includes several players who featured regularly in IPL 2026, including Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Arshad Khan and Anshul Kamboj. Tilak Varma, Gaikwad, Anshul Kamboj and others also bring senior or India A experience.
Updated India A squad for Sri Lanka tri-series and schedule
Updated India A squad: 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, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, Anukul Roy.
- June 9: India A vs Sri Lanka A
- June 11: India A vs Afghanistan A
- June 15: India A vs Sri Lanka A
- June 17: India A vs Afghanistan A
- June 21: Final
They will also play two four-day matches in Galle later, but the squad for those games will be announced separately.
