Dambulla : India A defeated Sri Lanka A by 8 runs in close encounter at Rangiri Stadium, Dambulla, with help of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s ton and late collapse of Sri Lanka in first match of Tri Nation A series.
Batting first India lost 2 quick wickets of in form Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh for 16 runs.
Priyansh Arya (32) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (101) notched 53 runs partnership before Arya was run out as India were restricted to 69-3 after end of 13 overs.
Gaikwad and skipper Tilak Varma (60) stiched iconic 150(185) runs partnership. On one hand Tilak anchored for 60(97) with a six and 2 boundaries, Gaikwad smashed brilliant ton, scoring 101(114) hitting 3 sixes and 6 boundaries. This was Gaikwad’s 21st List A century.
Both departed by 45th over, bringing India back on track. Late cameos from Ayush Badoni (24) and Suryansh Shedge (26*) ensured India’s score to 277-6 (50).
Sri Lanka made strong start with 93 runs partnership between Niroshan Dickwella (47) and Avishka Fernando (45). However, lost quick 3 wickets and were restricted to 109-3, after Ayush Badoni (2/46) dismissed both openers. The hosts again came back on track with 78 runs stand between Samarawickrama (46) and Sahan Arachchige (74). Anukul Roy (2/49) dismissed the former, Sahan kept scoring from one end, however, wickets continued to fall from other.
Sri Lanka suddenly suffered collapse from a winning position. From 237-5 (43.5), where they required only 41 from 37 Balls, with 5 wickets in hand, Sri Lanka were bundled out on 269 (48.5), losing 5 wickets for 32 runs in next 5 overs. Sahan took the score to 262 runs in 47.2 overs, before being dismissed by Anshul Kamboj , while Arshad Khan (2/24) ensured clearing the tail accompanied by a Gaikwad’s run out to Wanuja Sahan (23) who threatened to take away the game lately. The Lankan Lions eventually fell short by 8 runs.
Gaikwad was awarded Player of the match. After a tough Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season both as player and captain of Chennai Super Kings, this ton was a major boost for him. He emotionally said post match, “I’m feeling really good today after scoring runs. But I went through a very tough phase during the IPL. I tried my best, but I couldn’t score runs. It was a very difficult period in my life during that IPL season. However, after playing this innings, I’m feeling much better. I want to continue playing like this and contribute to the team.”
India A will next face Afghanistan A on June 11 while Sri Lanka A will also face them on June 13.
Brief Scorecard :
IND A : 277-6 (50)
SL A : 269 (48.5)
Result : India A won by 8 runs.
