Ruturaj Gaikwad set to replace Virat Kohli, spotted in Sri Lanka ahead of ODI Tri-Series

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was widely expected to replace the injured Virat Kohli in India's ODI squad ahead of the upcoming Afghanistan series. However, in a surprising development, the right-handed batter was spotted in Sri Lanka ahead of the ODI Tri-Series, which is scheduled to begin on June 9 in Dambulla.

Gaikwad endured a difficult Indian Premier League 2026 campaign. Despite entering the tournament with high expectations, he managed only two half-centuries throughout the season. Chennai Super Kings also struggled collectively, finishing eighth in the points table and failing to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive year. With a fresh opportunity in Sri Lanka, Gaikwad will be eager to rediscover his best form and strengthen his case for a return to India's senior setup.

The tri-series will feature India A, Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A. India A will be led by Tilak Varma and boasts a star-studded squad filled with promising young talent. However, much of the attention will be focused on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who captured the imagination of fans and experts with his remarkable performances in IPL 2026.

Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series 2026: All you need to know

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Sri Lanka ODI Tri-Series 2026: All you need to know

The 15-year-old enjoyed a dream season, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer and winning the Most Valuable Player award. He also shattered the record for the most sixes hit in a single IPL edition, surpassing a long-standing mark previously held by Chris Gayle. Following his stellar IPL campaign, Sooryavanshi will now look to make a strong impression at the international developmental level and move closer to a place in India's senior team.

Sooryavanshi's credentials extend beyond the IPL. In eight List A matches, he has scored 353 runs at an impressive average of 44.12, including one century and one half-century. He was also a key member of the Indian side that reached the final of the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in 2024, where he accumulated 176 runs at an average of 44.