India A Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A. PC- X.com/crikistaan
After winning the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A, India A will take on the hosts in the first of the two unofficial Tests at the Galle International Stadium, Galle, starting on Thursday (June 25).
Under Dhruv Jurel's leadership, a completely different-looking Indian A unit will be taking the field for the four-day affair. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Anshul Kamboj and Yash Thakur are the only players present in the four-day squad who were also a part of the winning Tri-Nation team.
Apart from the captain, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, and Shaik Rasheed will strengthen the batting order.
Whereas Ranji Trophy 2025/26’s leading wicket-taker, Auqib Nab and Gurnoor Brar, who recently had a brilliant ODI series against Afghanistan, will take care of the fast-bowling duties. Zeeshan Ansari and Harsh Dubey are picked as the spin options.
Ahead of the 1st unofficial Test match at Galle, let us look at the best-suited IND A Playing XI vs SL A.
India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A, 1st Unofficial Test
Top Order: Shaik Rasheed, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal
B Sai Sudharsan, for bats at number 3 in Tests for India, is expected to open the innings in the India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A. Coming in with a composed 81 in the one-off IND vs AFG Test, the solid left-hander will look to use these opportunities in Sri Lanka before India's next Test assignment in New Zealand.
Shaik Rasheed will open the innings for India A, along with Sudharsan. The right-hander might get picked over Narayan Jagadeesan, who didn't have a great time in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy. On the contrary, the Andhra batter racked up 627 runs in 11 innings at an average of 90, including three tons.
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Devdutt Padikkal, who has been in a direct fight with Sudharsan for India's No.3 position, is expected to bat one down in the India A Playing XI. The southpaw has been exceptional in the last year and a half.
Middle Order & All-Rounders: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, Saransh Jain, Harsh Dubey
Ruturaj Gaikwad was a top batter in the recently concluded Tri-Nation against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. Although he wasn't in the BCCI's original plans for the unofficial Tests, he was included after Riyan Parag was ruled out. Now, Gaikwad will look to stamp his authority to knock on the doors of the Indian Test team.
Dhruv Jurel will have an added responsibility as he is named India A's captain for these two games. However, he is someone who craves pressure situations. Apart from his batting and captaincy, Jurel's wicketkeeping will also be crucial for India A vs Sri Lanka A.
Saransh Jain is expected to bat at six in the India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A. The left-handed all-rounder, hailing from MP, has been doing wonders in the last couple of years. He has finally been rewarded for his sheer ability to score a truckload of runs domestically.
There is no secret that Harsh Dubey has been fast-tracked, and why shouldn't he be? The spinning all-rounder recently had an impressive India debut, and now he looks to add more to his CV to seal a spot in the longest format.
Bowlers: Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Zeeshan Ansari
Auqib Nabi has been an absolute superstar in the Ranji Trophy in the last two years. The seamer broke all records during J&K's first-ever victory in the elite tournament, where he bagged 60 wickets. Now, he will try to impress the BCCI selectors to get noticed for the Tests as well.
Gurnoor Brar displayed how to bowl fast in the ODI against Afghanistan. Not only that, he was firing cylinders and bowling in the right area. The IND A vs SL A series may turn into the dress rehearsal for the senior team, as India are looking at fast bowlers for the longer formats.
Zeeshan Ansari has been highly impressive in the shortest format, but he hasn't played First-Class much. However, these two matches will be crucial for the leggie. He will be a sure-shot starter in the India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A.
IND A Playing XI vs SL A: Shaik Rasheed, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel (wk/c), Saransh Jain, Harsh Dubey, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Zeeshan Ansari
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