NEW DELHI, June 6 (H.S.): Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has been appointed captain of the India A team for the two multi-day matches against Sri Lanka A, while Jammu & Kashmir pace-bowling all-rounder Aqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the side.

The squad was announced on Saturday by the selection committee headed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Devdutt Padikkal has been named vice-captain. India A will play two four-day matches against Sri Lanka A in Galle from June 25 to July 5. Following this tour, the Indian Test team will travel to Sri Lanka in August for a two-match series under the World Test Championship cycle.

The primary objective of the tour is to prepare players for spin-friendly conditions and provide them with experience of playing with the red Kookaburra ball.

In the batting department, apart from Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal, the squad includes Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and N. Jagadeesan. Vidarbha batter Aman Mokhade and Andhra Pradesh's Shaik Rasheed have also received their maiden India A selections.

The pace attack comprises Aqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar.

Gurnoor Brar was recently called up to the Indian squad for the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Aqib Nabi's selection is considered particularly significant after he played a crucial role in guiding Jammu & Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title this year. He finished as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 60 wickets.

The spin department will be led by leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, off-spinner Saransh Jain and all-rounder Ayush Badoni. Aqib Nabi and Zeeshan Ansari recently served as net bowlers during India's training sessions ahead of the Afghanistan Test.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Badoni, Yash Thakur and Anshul Kamboj are already in Sri Lanka, as India A is also participating in the tri-series One-Day tournament scheduled to begin in Dambulla on June 9.

India A Squad (for Multi-Day Matches):

Dhruv Jurel (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Aqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N. Jagadeesan, Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed and Zeeshan Ansari.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar