The conveyor belt of Indian cricket keeps churning. This time, the selectors are looking at the red-ball future. Dhruv Jurel will captain India A during their upcoming two-match red-ball series against Sri Lanka A in Galle. It is a tough assignment. The matches run from June 25 to July 5. Devdutt Padikkal will serve as his deputy.
Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee dropped the squad list on Saturday. It is a mix of established names and fresh domestic hopefuls. The biggest talking point? Auqib Nabi. The Jammu & Kashmir fast-bowling all-rounder finally broke through. He earned his maiden call-up. It was well-deserved. Nabi tore up the Ranji Trophy, bagging 60 wickets and driving his state to a historic title. Now, he gets to prove himself on the international pathway.
He is not alone. Aman Mokhade and Shaik Rasheed also earned their first call-ups. They join a batting lineup featuring Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and N Jagadeesan. Some of these guys are already sweating it out in Sri Lanka. Gaikwad, Ayush Badoni, Yash Thakur, and Anshul Kamboj are currently playing a limited-overs tri-series there. They will just swap the white ball for the red one.
The bowling attack looks decent on paper. Alongside Nabi, the pace department features Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and Gurnoor Brar. Brar has been hovering around the senior setup for a while. Spin will be crucial. Galle is famous for turning pitches. It is a graveyard for impatient batsmen. Zeeshan Ansari and Saransh Jain will lead the spin department, aided by Badoni’s utility overs. Both Ansari and Nabi recently served as net bowlers for the senior national team. They know the grind.
This tour is a trial by fire. Galle’s dusty tracks will test these young players’ techniques and patience.
The full squad traveling to Sri Lanka includes Dhruv Jurel (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Badoni, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N Jagadeesan, Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, and Zeeshan Ansari.
