LUCKNOW, May 15 -- The men's selection committee on Thursday unveiled the India A squad for the upcoming one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka, set for June 2026 in Dambulla. The competition pits hosts Sri Lanka A against India A and Afghanistan A, offering a vital platform for emerging talents to stake their claim ahead of international duties. Post the white-ball leg, India A will contest two multi-day matches against Sri Lanka A in Galle, with that squad to follow later. Tilak Varma leads the side as captain, backed by Riyan Parag as vice-captain. The 15-member squad blends proven performers with fresh faces like Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (w-k), Kumar Kushagra (w-k), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, and Arshad Khan. Among the selections, all-rounder Vipraj Nigam stands out as the story of grit and rapid rise. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, the 23-year-old from Barabanki has scripted an inspiring journey from local circuits to the India A spotlight. Nigam burst onto the scene in the 2023-24 Uttar Pradesh Premier League (UPPL), where his explosive middle-order batting and handy leg-spin fetched 245 runs at a strike rate of 142 and 12 wickets. Scouts took note during the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, where he smashed a gritty 89 against Bengal in Lucknow, anchoring UP's chase on a turning track. His domestic exploits peaked in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last November, plundering 312 runs at 56 average, including a match-winning 124* off 78 balls versus Services. Nigam's off-spin, deceptive with sharp turn and googlies, claimed 18 scalps at 4.85 economy-numbers that echoed Kuldeep Yadav's early promise. A UP Under-23 standout, he honed skills Lucknow, crediting coach Sarwar Naweab for refining his all-round game. This India A nod caps a meteoric ascent, bypassing Duleep Trophy for direct tri-series exposure. Nigam idolizes Hardik Pandya for his power-hitting flair. "It's a dream to represent India A in Sri Lanka's spin-friendly conditions," he shared post-announcement. With IPL franchises circling, this series could fast-track him to the big league. The tri-series promises high-stakes battles, testing India A's depth amid a packed calendar. Varma's leadership and Parag's finishing prowess set the tone, but eyes will be on Nigam to spin his UP magic internationally. In a major boost for Uttar Pradesh cricket, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has thanked the state government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for slashing ground fees at the historic Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. This decision paves the way for the Uttar Pradesh Premier League (UPPL) to return to its spiritual home after a two-year hiatus. The fifth edition of the UUPL will take place in Kanpur from August 14 to September 7. During the tournament's debut season, UPCA faced a staggering Rs 10 crore-plus fee for Green Park, forcing the relocation of the next two editions to Lucknow's Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The exorbitant costs strained resources, limiting the event's grandeur despite its growing popularity. Credit goes to BCCI vice-president and seasoned administrator Rajeev Shukla, whose relentless advocacy sparked constructive dialogue with the state. Taking the matter seriously, CM Yogi Adityanath approved the UPCA's plea, reducing the seasonal ground rent to under Rs 1 crore-a dramatic 90% cut. Suresh Chandra Tripathi Memorial Lucknow District Badminton Tournament-2026, organized by the Swaraj Kalyan Seva Sansthan, is set to begin on Friday, at the Mini Stadium, Vinay Khand, Gomti Nagar. This three-day tournament, recognized by the Lucknow Badminton Association, will be inaugurated on Friday at 11:00 a.m by Somendra Tomar, Minister of State (Independent Charge, Energy). Organizing secretary Sanjay Tripathi informed that the tournament will feature events in the boys' and girls' singles categories across the under-11, 13, 15, 17, 19 age groups, alongside men's singles, women's singles, and men's doubles competitions. Additionally, men's doubles events will be organized in the veterans' category (35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+)....