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India A Opens Talent TV Cup Tri-Series in Dambulla, Featuring 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The Talent TV Cup one‑day tri‑series kicks off on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, when India A takes on Sri Lanka A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The match begins at 10:00 AM IST and will be broadcast by Sony Sports and streamed on Sony Liv.
For 15‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the opening game is more than a routine fixture – it is a showcase. The Rajasthan Royals prodigy finished the 2026 Indian Premier League with a staggering 776 runs in 16 matches, a strike rate of 237.30, and captured the Orange Cap and Most Valuable Player awards. His explosive form also earned him a spot in the India Under‑19 squad that blasted 175 off 80 balls against England.
Recognizing his talent, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has named Sooryavanshi in the senior India Twenty‑20 International squad for the upcoming tours of England and Ireland, as well as the Asian Games. The Dambulla match therefore serves as a dress rehearsal for a potential senior debut.
India A’s lineup for the first encounter: • Captain Tilak Varma • Vice‑captain Ruturaj Gaikwad • Priyansh Arya • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi • Ayush Badoni • Nishant Sindhu • Suryansh Shedge • Prabhsimran Singh (wk) • Kumar Kushagra (wk) • Vipraj Nigam • Yash Thakur • Yudhvir Singh • Anshul Kamboj • Arshad Khan • Anukul Roy
Sri Lanka A fields: • Captain Sahan Arachchige • Vice‑captain Niroshan Dickwella • Avishka Fernando • Nuwanidu Fernando • Sadeera Samarawickrama • Ahan Wickramasinghe • Chamika Karunaratne • Wanuja Sahan • Vijayakanth Viyaskanth • Mohamed Shiraz • Dulaj Samuditha • Vishen Halambage • Ravindu Fernando • Chamika Gunasekara • Garuka Sanketh • Kugadas Mathulan
The tri‑series, running from 9 to 21 June, will also feature Afghanistan A. All matches will be staged at Dambulla, a venue renowned for its slow, turning pitch – a stark contrast to the flat, fast tracks that dominate the IPL. The conditions will test Sooryavanshi’s technical foundation against quality spin and evaluate his adaptability to sub‑continental play.
Sri Lanka A vice‑captain Dickwella has signaled that the team has devised specific tactics to curb the young opener’s aggressive style. If Sooryavanshi can navigate the Dambulla surface and perform against the Sri Lankan bowling attack, it will strengthen his case for a future England tour.
The 9 June encounter is the first of a seven‑game series that will pit India A, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A in one‑day internationals. The Talent TV Cup is designed to spotlight emerging talent ahead of major international fixtures, offering a platform for young players to shine on a larger stage.
In summary, the 9 June match at Dambulla presents a rare opportunity for India’s youngest star to prove himself on an international stage. The outcome will influence his standing in the senior squad and could shape the composition of India’s upcoming T20I tours.
The series will continue through 21 June, with subsequent matches scheduled against Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A. Fans can follow the action live on Sony Sports or stream it on Sony Liv.
For 15‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the opening game is more than a routine fixture – it is a showcase. The Rajasthan Royals prodigy finished the 2026 Indian Premier League with a staggering 776 runs in 16 matches, a strike rate of 237.30, and captured the Orange Cap and Most Valuable Player awards. His explosive form also earned him a spot in the India Under‑19 squad that blasted 175 off 80 balls against England.
Recognizing his talent, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has named Sooryavanshi in the senior India Twenty‑20 International squad for the upcoming tours of England and Ireland, as well as the Asian Games. The Dambulla match therefore serves as a dress rehearsal for a potential senior debut.
India A’s lineup for the first encounter: • Captain Tilak Varma • Vice‑captain Ruturaj Gaikwad • Priyansh Arya • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi • Ayush Badoni • Nishant Sindhu • Suryansh Shedge • Prabhsimran Singh (wk) • Kumar Kushagra (wk) • Vipraj Nigam • Yash Thakur • Yudhvir Singh • Anshul Kamboj • Arshad Khan • Anukul Roy
Sri Lanka A fields: • Captain Sahan Arachchige • Vice‑captain Niroshan Dickwella • Avishka Fernando • Nuwanidu Fernando • Sadeera Samarawickrama • Ahan Wickramasinghe • Chamika Karunaratne • Wanuja Sahan • Vijayakanth Viyaskanth • Mohamed Shiraz • Dulaj Samuditha • Vishen Halambage • Ravindu Fernando • Chamika Gunasekara • Garuka Sanketh • Kugadas Mathulan
The tri‑series, running from 9 to 21 June, will also feature Afghanistan A. All matches will be staged at Dambulla, a venue renowned for its slow, turning pitch – a stark contrast to the flat, fast tracks that dominate the IPL. The conditions will test Sooryavanshi’s technical foundation against quality spin and evaluate his adaptability to sub‑continental play.
Sri Lanka A vice‑captain Dickwella has signaled that the team has devised specific tactics to curb the young opener’s aggressive style. If Sooryavanshi can navigate the Dambulla surface and perform against the Sri Lankan bowling attack, it will strengthen his case for a future England tour.
The 9 June encounter is the first of a seven‑game series that will pit India A, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A in one‑day internationals. The Talent TV Cup is designed to spotlight emerging talent ahead of major international fixtures, offering a platform for young players to shine on a larger stage.
In summary, the 9 June match at Dambulla presents a rare opportunity for India’s youngest star to prove himself on an international stage. The outcome will influence his standing in the senior squad and could shape the composition of India’s upcoming T20I tours.
The series will continue through 21 June, with subsequent matches scheduled against Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A. Fans can follow the action live on Sony Sports or stream it on Sony Liv.
