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By Vikram Iyer — 25 June 2026 — 3 min read

India A begins unofficial Test series in Galle

India A captain Dhruv Jurel won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka A in the opening Unofficial Test at Galle on Thursday. This match marks the beginning of a two-match red-ball series, providing a significant platform for several emerging Indian cricketers to demonstrate their capabilities in red-ball cricket.

The series is seen as a crucial opportunity for players to impress selectors, particularly with an eye on future national team selections. The squad features a blend of established talents and promising newcomers, all aiming to strengthen their Test credentials.

Key players under the spotlight

Among the players drawing attention is fast bowler Aquib Nabi. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer garnered significant acclaim for his role in his state’s Ranji Trophy triumph, where he finished the season with 60 wickets. His omission from the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan had previously raised questions among supporters and former cricketers.

The tour of Sri Lanka now offers Nabi another chance to make a strong case for higher honours. A compelling performance in potentially challenging overseas conditions could make it difficult for selectors to overlook him for future Test plans, especially with India scheduled to tour New Zealand later this year, where his ability to generate movement on seam-friendly surfaces could be valuable.

Left-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar is also part of the India A squad. He recently made an impression during his ODI debut against Afghanistan. While the pitches in Sri Lanka are generally expected to favour spinners, Brar will be looking to make an impact and maintain his contention for a spot in the senior setup.

Batting lineup and opportunities

The batting lineup for India A includes Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and captain Dhruv Jurel. This series is particularly important for batter Sai Sudharsan, who will be aiming to spend considerable time at the crease and regain momentum ahead of India’s upcoming Test assignments. Sudharsan remains a contender for a place in the Test XI and will be eager to bolster his credentials with substantial scores.

Devdutt Padikkal, who did not participate in the Afghanistan Test, is also part of the squad and is competing for a spot in the batting order, specifically the number three position with Sudharsan. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Harsh Dubey, who recently made his ODI debut, are also included in the touring party.

The pace attack for India A will be led by Auqib Nabi Dar, Anshul Kamboj, and Yash Thakur. Anshul Kamboj, who experienced a difficult Test debut in England last year, will be hoping for a strong performance in Galle to revive his red-ball prospects.

Squad details and opposition

The India A playing XI for the first unofficial Test includes Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel (captain & wicketkeeper), Shaik Rasheed, Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, and Auqib Nabi Dar.

The full India A squad for the multi-day matches in Sri Lanka comprises Dhruv Jurel (captain & wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Aquib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, and Zeeshan Ansari.

Sri Lanka A, captained by Sahan Arachchige, has included experienced wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella in their playing XI. Their lineup for the match consists of Pawantha Weerasinghe, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Sahan Arachchige (captain), Ravindu Fernando, Anjala Bandara, Kavindu Pathiratne, Dulaj Samuditha, Chamika Gunasekara, and Dilum Sudeera.

The series offers a vital opportunity for young Indian talent to showcase their skills for future national team selections, with the first match taking place in Galle on Thursday.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com