Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during U19 World Cup 2026. PC- X/KamitSolanki
The historic Tri-Series involving the top three Asian sides is all set to stage a fire. Match 1 of the tournament will be between India A and the hosts, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday (June 9) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.
The Tilak Varma-led India A will begin as firm favourites, especially after the squad they have put together. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be the linchpins of the Indian batting, alongside skipper Varma.
Whereas Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam and Nishant Sindhu offer balance as the all-round options. Anukul Roy and Anshul Kamboj, who showed tremendous form in IPL 2026, are picked to handle the bowling department.
In this article, let's figure out the best India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A based on the conditions in Dambulla.
India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A, Tri-Series 2026
Top Order: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad
There's a lot of chatter around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, especially the way he batted in the IPL 2026. He will be the mainstay of the India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A. However, he will have to prove his skills are adequate for the longer format as well, especially at a higher level.
There will be a toss-up between the PBKS openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, but the team management will go ahead with Prabhsimran for his wicketkeeping and seniority.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a century in his last ODI innings, but he wasn't included in the senior side despite Virat Kohli's distal semimembranosus tendon tear. The CSK captain would want to answer back his critics in this Tri-Series.
Middle Order & All-Rounders: Tilak Varma, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Anukul Roy
Tilak Varma, the sailor of the India A ship, will be a crucial pick in the middle order of the India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A. Despite a topsy-turvy IPL 2026 season, he has been as the Indian T20I vice-captain and will look to stamp his authority in the format, given he still has a chance for the reckoning in the 2027 World Cup squad.
Ayush Badoni has to be in the India A Playing XI for his ability to stabilise an innings when the team is in a spot of bother. He will likely bat at the number 5 position vs SL A.
Suryansh Shedge has to be the designated finisher in the line-up. He will be an added pace option for Tilak Varma in the team.
Vipraj Nigam and Anukul Roy will take over the lower middle order, with the both spin-bowling all-rounders lethal in the middle overs. The duo can also contribute highly down the order.
Bowlers: Arshad Khan, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur
Anshul Kamboj was costly in the IPL 2026, but his knack for picking wickets made him special for CSK. He will be the leader of the pack in the India A Playing XI vs Sri Lanka A.
Kamboj will operate with Yash Thakur with the new ball, who is being groomed as the future of India's fast bowling.
Arshad Khan, who played for GT in the IPL 2026, will complete the India A Playing XI. He will serve as the first-change bowler and the middle-overs enforcer.
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