Gaikwad 101* trumps Arachchige 74 as India A win thriller against Sri Lanka A
A Hard-Fought Victory in Dambulla
India A kicked off their tour of Sri Lanka with a narrow yet significant eight-run victory over the hosts in a tense Dambulla thriller. Played under punishing heat on a tricky, two-paced surface, the match served as an early test of temperament for the touring side. While the conditions made fluent stroke-making a rare luxury, the contest provided high drama as India A successfully defended their total to snatch the result from the jaws of a potential defeat.
The Debutante Spotlight: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The anticipation surrounding the tour was undoubtedly heightened by the presence of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Having arrived in Sri Lanka just days prior, the young prodigy drew immense attention from fans and media alike. While his inaugural innings was brief, it offered a tantalizing glimpse of his raw talent.
After opening partner Prabhsimran Singh navigated a maiden over, Sooryavanshi wasted no time, announcing his arrival with a confident slap over the infield for a boundary. His cameo lasted only 12 balls but yielded 14 runs, featuring four crisp boundaries. His debut ended in the fourth over when he attempted a lofted shot against seamer Mohamed Shiraz, only to find Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige at mid-off, who completed a sharp diving catch. Sooryavanshi will look to build on this experience in the upcoming group games before joining the senior Indian squad for their Ireland tour.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Anchors the Innings
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who earned a late call-up following an injury to Riyan Parag, proved to be the cornerstone of the Indian innings. Thrust into the role of vice-captain and tasked with anchoring the middle order, Gaikwad delivered a measured 114-ball 101 not out. His knock was vital in guiding India A to a competitive total of 277.
On a surface where Sri Lanka A’s spinners exerted considerable pressure, Gaikwad opted for strategic strike rotation rather than aggressive boundary hitting. He managed just six fours and three sixes, yet his presence was instrumental during a 150-run partnership with captain Tilak Varma. Though he survived a major scare when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella missed a routine stumping on 49, Gaikwad immediately capitalised, punishing a full toss with a six to reach his half-century.
This century marked a historic milestone for the opener: it was his 21st List A hundred, achieved in just his 96th match. This feat makes him the fastest player in history to reach 21 List A centuries, shattering the previous record held by Pakistan’s Khurram Manzoor, who reached the mark in 130 matches.
Shedge and Roy Provide All-Round Impact
India’s ongoing quest to identify a reliable seam-bowling all-rounder saw another promising display from Suryansh Shedge. The Mumbai cricketer provided crucial late-order impetus, striking an unbeaten 26 off just 14 balls to boost the total. With the ball, Shedge showcased impressive seam movement and bounce, maintaining a testing line and length throughout his opening spell. While he finished wicketless, his contribution was vital to the team’s balance.
The spin department was expertly marshalled by Anukul Roy, whose figures of 2 for 49 do not fully capture his influence on the game. Roy’s double-strike was the turning point of the second innings; he first dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama to break a threatening 86-run partnership, then quickly followed up by removing Ravindu Fernando. These breakthroughs turned the momentum in India’s favor, exposing the Sri Lankan middle order to immense pressure. Despite a valiant 74 from captain Sahan Arachchige, the hosts could not cross the finish line, ultimately being bowled out for 269 in the 49th over. This victory provides India A with excellent momentum heading into the remainder of the series.
