DAMBULLA, JUN 21 (IANS): India A clinched the Tri-Series title with a commanding 66-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the final at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, powered by teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking blitz.
Batting first after being put in, India A amassed a formidable 377/9 in 50 overs. The innings was headlined by 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who smashed 94 off just 29 balls. His knock included 10 fours and eight sixes, and he raced to a half-century in only 11 balls — the fastest fifty ever recorded in List A cricket. Alongside Priyansh Arya (39), Sooryavanshi gave India A a dream start with a 132-run opening stand in just 53 deliveries.
Captain Tilak Varma anchored the middle overs with a composed 67, supported by Ruturaj Gaikwad (40) and Kumar Kushagra (36). Useful contributions from Anukul Roy (39), Vipraj Nigam (27), and Nishant Sindhu (16) ensured India A maintained momentum throughout. For Sri Lanka A, Kugathas Mathulan, Ravindu Fernando, and Vanuja Sahan picked up two wickets each, but the bowlers struggled against India’s relentless batting.
Chasing 378, Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs. Early wickets left them reeling at 75/3, and despite Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 52 and skipper Sahan Arachchige’s 38, the chase faltered. Vanuja Sahan (62) and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (39) staged a spirited seventh-wicket stand of 77, briefly raising hopes, but the required rate proved insurmountable.
India’s bowlers struck at crucial moments, with Yash Thakur and Vipraj Nigam claiming three wickets apiece. Anukul Roy added two, while Ashok Sharma and Tilak Varma chipped in with one each to seal the win.
Brief Scores: India A 377/9 in 50 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 94, Tilak Varma 67, Ruturaj Gaikwad 40; Wanuja Sahan 2-39, Ravindu Fernando 2-72) beat Sri Lanka A all out for 311 runs in 47.1 overs (Wanuja Sahan 62, Sadeera Samarawickrama 52; Yash Thakur 3-45, Vipraj Nigam 3-60) by 66 runs.
