India A keen to continue its good run

Twelve of the Sri Lanka-A squad of fifteen have played for the senior international side and the India A batting coach Sitanshu Kotak warned against complacency.

Ishan Kishan will be leading India A in the five match ODI series against Sri Lanka A.

After a dominant showing in the two four-day matches, India A will be keen on asserting its superiority over Sri Lanka A when the one-day series begins in Belagavi on Thursday.

India A won both unofficial Tests by handsome margins, even if the traveling side showed signs of improvement in the second fixture.

There are nine changes in the India A squad for the limited-overs matches, with Ishan Kishan to lead. The Jharkhand wicket-keeper batsman was part of the Mumbai Indians unit that won the Indian Premier League, but struggled for form with the bat himself. Shubman Gill, in contrast, impressed for KKR, scoring three fifties.

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Both batsmen came through the India U-19 ranks, at different times, promising much for the future. Gill has since played for the senior team, having made his debut in New Zealand earlier this year, while Kishan is yet to force himself into the reckoning. How much this series will boost their India prospects is open to question, but a good run with the bat will not go unnoticed. 

Also part of the squad is Shreyas Gopal, who enjoyed a fine IPL campaign, claiming 20 wickets with his leg-spin. The all-rounder, who has only one first-class and one List A appearance for India A, will welcome this opportunity.

Medium-pacer Tushar Deshpande, who played a key role in Mumbai's Vijay Hazare Trophy win last year, and Shivam Dube, who made an impression with his big-hitting, appear to have been rewarded for their domestic performances.

Retained from the four-day squad is Anmolpreet Singh, who made scores of 116 n.o., 65 and 60 in his three innings. He will want to maintain that rich form.

With as many as 12 of the Sri Lanka-A squad of 15 having played for the senior international side, the visitor is not short on experience.

"Both the 'Tests' were one-sided, but I feel Sri Lanka will be a better one-day unit," said India A batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. "They were scoring at four an over. They look like aggressive players. We'll have to keep that in mind."

The first three one-day matches will be played at the KSCA Stadium, with the final two fixtures to be played in Hubballi.