The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee is set to announce the squads for the Test and ODI series against Afghanistan on Tuesday (May 19). The one-off Test will be played from June 6 to 10 in Mullanpur. The three ODIs are scheduled to be played on June 14, 17 and 20 in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai, respectively. Shubman Gill, who was dropped from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, is set to make his return to international cricket. He will lead the team in the Test and the ODI series. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won’t be part of the ODI team despite his purple patch in IPL 2026.
With 486 runs in 12 games, Sooryavanshi sits in the sixth spot in the list of batters with most runs in IPL 2026. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener has one century and 2 half-centuries. Batting with a strike rate of 234.78, Sooryavanshi has 43 sixes and as many fours in the season. Despite his heroics, Sooryavanshi won’t be part of the ODI team. Here’s the reason –
The national selectors have taken note of Sooryavanshi’s performances and he has been included in the India A squad for the tri-series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. The series will be played from June 9 to 21 in Sri Lanka. His inclusion in the India A squad hints that he is in contention and could be fast-tracked to the national team soon. Tilak Varma will lead the India A team and will be assisted by Riyan Parag.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be fast-tracked to the T20I team. Photo: BCCI
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in T20I team for Ireland series?
Vaibhav could be handed his maiden T20I call-up for the Ireland and Zimbabwe series if the seniors are rested. India are scheduled to play two T20Is against Ireland on June 26 and 28 before going to England for 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs.
Following the England series, the Men in Blue will land in Zimbabwe for three T20Is, to be played on July 23, 25 and 26. Apart from Sooryavanshi, the selectors could reward a few IPL performers for these two series.