DAMBULLA, June 9 (ePRESS)– Ruturaj Gaikwad struck a superb century as India A defeated Sri Lanka A by eight runs in a thrilling opening match of the Sri Lanka A-Team Tri-Series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday.
Gaikwad anchored the Indian innings with a brilliant 101 off 114 balls, helping India A post a competitive total of 277 for six after electing to bat first. His innings included six boundaries and three sixes and proved to be the difference between the two sides in a closely fought contest.
India A suffered an early setback when both openers were dismissed with only 16 runs on the board. However, Gaikwad and Priyansh Arya rebuilt the innings with a valuable partnership before captain Tilak Varma contributed a steady 60 runs.
Late attacking knocks from Ayush Badoni (24) and Suryansh Shedge (26 not out) lifted India A beyond the 275-run mark. For Sri Lanka A, Mohamed Shiraz was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Chamika Karunaratne, Garuka Sanketh and Wanuja Sahan claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Sri Lanka A made a strong start through Niroshan Dickwella and Avishka Fernando, who shared a 93-run opening partnership. Dickwella scored 47 while Avishka added 45 before both fell to part-time spinner Ayush Badoni.
Middle-order batsmen Sadeera Samarawickrama and captain Sahan Arachchige kept Sri Lanka A firmly in the chase. Samarawickrama made 46, while Arachchige played an outstanding innings of 74 from 72 balls with six fours and two sixes.
Sri Lanka A appeared to be heading towards victory when Arachchige was at the crease, but India A fought back with timely wickets. The dismissal of the Sri Lankan captain in the 48th over turned the match in India’s favour.
Wanuja Sahan’s quick-fire 23 gave the home side late hope, but Sri Lanka A lost their final three wickets for seven runs and were bowled out for 269 in 48.5 overs.
Anukul Roy, Ayush Badoni and Vipraj Nigam shared six wickets between them, while Arshad Khan picked up two crucial wickets in the closing stages.
The victory gave India A a winning start to the Tri-Series, while Sri Lanka A will look to bounce back in their next match after pushing the visitors all the way in an exciting contest.
