India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has been appointed captain of the India A squad for the upcoming red-ball tour of Sri Lanka, while Jammu & Kashmir pace-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the developmental side. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the squad on Saturday for two four-day matches against Sri Lanka A, scheduled to be played in Galle between June 25 and July 5.

The series will serve as a crucial preparatory assignment ahead of India’s two-match Test series in Sri Lanka later this year as part of the World Test Championship cycle. Devdutt Padikkal has been named vice-captain, adding leadership experience to a squad packed with emerging talent and domestic performers.

The tour is expected to help players adapt to Sri Lankan conditions, particularly spin-friendly pitches and the challenges posed by the red Kookaburra ball. The batting unit features several familiar names, including Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, N Jagadeesan and Padikkal.

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Promising youngsters Aman Mokhade of Vidarbha and Andhra Pradesh batter Shaik Rasheed have also been rewarded with their maiden India A selections after impressive domestic performances.

In the bowling department, Auqib Nabi headlines the fresh faces. His inclusion comes on the back of a remarkable Ranji Trophy season, where he claimed 60 wickets and played a key role in helping Jammu & Kashmir secure their historic maiden title. The pace attack also includes Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar, all of whom have impressed consistently in domestic cricket.

India A have also strengthened their spin resources with leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, off-spinner Saransh Jain and all-rounder Ayush Badoni. Notably, both Auqib and Zeeshan recently worked as net bowlers with the senior Indian team during preparations for the ongoing Test against Afghanistan.

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Several squad members, including Gaikwad, Badoni, Thakur and Kamboj, are already in Sri Lanka participating in the India A tri-series campaign, making the transition to the multi-day series seamless.

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, Zeeshan Ansari.

A look at India A’s squad for 2️⃣ multi-day matches in Sri Lanka 🙌#SLAvINDA pic.twitter.com/QVUZlzYcHc

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 6, 2026