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 resilient eight-run victory against the hosts in Dambulla. Played under sweltering conditions on a pitch that demanded patience and technical skill, the match proved to be a challenging test of character for both sides. The surface, characterized by its two-paced nature, made fluent stroke-making a rarity, turning the contest into a fascinating game of cat and mouse between bat and ball.
The Arrival of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Much of the pre-match anticipation centered on the highly-touted 15-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Having arrived in Sri Lanka amidst a frenzy of media and fan interest, his debut was brief but undeniably impactful. After India A started cautiously, Sooryavanshi wasted no time in making his mark, slapping a boundary off his very first delivery.
His 12-ball cameo yielded 14 runs, including three elegantly struck fours, showcasing a fearless approach. While his stay was cut short in the fourth over when he was caught by Sahan Arachchige off the bowling of Mohamed Shiraz, the teenager provided a tantalizing glimpse of his immense potential. With more group matches ahead, he will look to build on this start before joining the senior Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series in Ireland.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Masterclass
The centerpiece of the victory was an exemplary performance by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Initially not part of the primary squad, Gaikwad received a late call-up due to Riyan Parag’s hamstring injury. Thrust into the vice-captaincy, he delivered a composed 114-ball 101, steering India A to a competitive total of 277. This innings was a masterclass in middle-order flexibility and situational awareness.
On a track where Sri Lanka A’s spinners dominated the middle overs, Gaikwad prioritized strike rotation over aggressive boundary hitting. He struck only six fours and three sixes, yet his presence allowed India A to stabilize and eventually accelerate. A critical moment occurred when he was reprieved on 49 by a missed stumping, an error he immediately punished by hitting the next delivery for a six to reach his half-century.
This century was historic, marking his 21st in List A cricket. Achieving the feat in just 96 matches, Gaikwad became the fastest player to reach this milestone, shattering the previous record held by Pakistan’s Khurram Manzoor by 34 matches.
All-Round Contributions Seal the Result
While Gaikwad provided the bedrock, the supporting cast ensured India A could defend their total. Suryansh Shedge, emerging as a bright prospect in the search for a genuine seam-bowling allrounder, contributed a vital unbeaten 26 off 14 balls. With the ball, Shedge bowled with pace and hostility, troubling the Sri Lankan top order and maintaining a high level of intensity throughout his eight overs.
Anukul Roy’s spin proved equally instrumental. The left-arm spinner broke a crucial 86-run partnership by removing Sadeera Samarawickrama and followed it up by dismissing Ravindu Fernando. These twin strikes effectively stifled Sri Lanka A’s momentum, forcing them into a period of middle-order collapse. Despite a gallant effort by captain Sahan Arachchige, who scored 74, Sri Lanka A eventually faltered, falling short as they were bowled out for 269 in the penultimate over.
This match served as a stern reminder of the depth and resilience within the India A setup. By overcoming a difficult pitch and a spirited Sri Lankan side, the team has set a positive tone for the remainder of the series, proving that even in the toughest conditions, they possess the talent to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
