Top News

Dambulla, 9 June. Vice captain Rituraj Gaikwad’s century hit (101 runs, 114 balls, three sixes, six fours) and his big century partnership with captain Tilak Verma (60 runs, 97 balls, one six, two fours) came in handy for India A, which achieved a thrilling eight-run victory over host Sri Lanka A in the first match of the triangular ODI series here on Tuesday.

However, 15-year-old teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who made a splash with the bat in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL-19), had a weak debut in List A ODI cricket and could score only 14 runs (12 balls, three fours). But India A, who came to bat first at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, scored a strong score of 277 runs for six wickets in 50 overs with useful contributions from ‘Player of the Match’ Gaikwad and Tilak and other batsmen.

Sri Lankan captain Sahan’s aggressive half-century innings did not work

Sri Lanka A team looked to be on course towards the target with captain Sahan Arachige’s aggressive innings (74 runs, 72 balls, two sixes, six fours) following a strong partnership between the opening partners of Nirshon Dickwella (47 runs, 45 balls, six fours) and Avishka Fernando (45 runs, 59 balls, seven fours), but the Indian bowlers snatched the last four wickets within 10 balls, giving the hosts The team reached 269 runs in 48.5 overs.

Arshad, Anukul, Ayush and Vipraj divided 8 wickets among themselves

Among Indian bowlers, Arshad Khan (2-24), Anukul Roy (2-49), Ayush Badoni (2-46) and Vipraj Nigam (2-46) shared eight wickets among themselves. Actually, Anshul Kamboj (1-47) bowled Sahan in the 48th over and in the next over, the last three wickets fell in front of Arshad on the same score, out of which one batsman was run out.

Dickwella and Avishka Fernando added 93 runs for the first wicket.

If seen, this match was also the comeback of Nirshon Dickwella, who added 93 runs for the first wicket with former Sri Lankan international cricketer Avishka Fernando. Both were out after Badoni was caught in the circle while attempting a slog sweep. Apart from Dickwella, Fernando and Sahan, Sadira Samarawickrama also played a useful inning of 46 runs (51 balls, four fours). He added 78 runs for the fourth wicket with Sahan.

Gaikwad’s 21st List A century, 150-run partnership with Tilak

Earlier, India A got off to a bad start with two wickets falling for 16 runs in five overs. Among them, Suryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh (two runs) could not survive. But Gaikwad first took control of the situation with a partnership of 53 runs with Priyansh Arya (32 runs, 32 balls, one six, four fours) and then besides completing his 21st List A century, he gave strength to the team by adding 150 runs for the fourth wicket with Tilak.

score card

In the end, Badoni (24 runs, 18 balls, two fours) and Suryansh Shedge (26 not out, 14 balls, two sixes, one four) also showed their sharp hands and took the team beyond 270 with a quick partnership of 46 runs on the sixth wicket. Mohd for Sri Lanka. Shiraz took wickets for 67 runs.

India A will now face Afghanistan A on June 11.

The third team of this triangular series is Afghanistan A. India A will now meet Afghanistan A on June 11.