Sooryavanshi thumps fastest List A fifty as India A win tri-series

A Record-Breaking Performance in Dambulla

In a final that will be remembered for years to come, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name into the record books. Sooryavanshi thumps fastest List A fifty as India A win tri-series, marking a pivotal moment in the young cricketer’s career. Coming into the final after a series of starts, the Samastipur native unleashed an unprecedented assault on the Sri Lanka A bowling attack, reaching his half-century in a staggering 11 deliveries.

The Explosive Start

The tri-series final in Dambulla began with pure intent. Sooryavanshi, who had previously been involved in a tense confrontation during a group stage fixture, channeled his energy entirely into his batting. The opening barrage was relentless; he struck a boundary with each of his first five deliveries. By the time he was dismissed by Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige in the ninth over, he had raced to 94 runs off just 29 balls, having propelled India A to a score of 132 in under nine overs.

India A’s Dominant Total

While Sooryavanshi provided the fireworks, the team effort remained consistent throughout the innings. After a stuttering middle phase where the run rate threatened to dip, Anukul Roy—also hailing from Samastipur—provided a crucial late-order surge. Roy smashed 39 runs off only 15 balls, including four towering sixes, which helped India A recover from a precarious position of 334 for 8. The team eventually finished with an imposing 377 for 9.

Bowling Resilience and Victory

Defending a total of 377, India A needed discipline, and they found it in their bowling attack. Sri Lanka A fought back through Wanuja Sahan, who scored a solid 62 off 69 balls, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who contributed 52. However, the Indian bowlers proved too potent under pressure.

Anukul Roy demonstrated his all-round value by picking up two vital wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Vijaykanth Viyaskanth to break a 77-run partnership. Meanwhile, the duo of Vipraj Nigam and Yash Thakur were instrumental in dismantling the lineup, claiming three wickets each. Sri Lanka A were eventually bowled out for 311 in the 48th over, handing India A a comfortable 66-run victory.

Looking Ahead

This match served as a testament to the depth and talent currently present within the India A setup. While the talk of the town remains the sheer audacity of Sooryavanshi’s innings, the collective bowling effort and the composure shown by the lower-order batters underline why India A emerged as the deserving winners of the tri-series. For Sooryavanshi, this potentially serves as the perfect farewell to his time as an uncapped player, setting a high standard for his future endeavors in professional cricket.

• India A top scorers: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (94), Tilak Varma (67), Ruturaj Gaikwad (40)
• Key bowlers for India A: Yash Thakur (3-45), Vipraj Nigam (3-60), Anukul Roy (2-39)
• Top contributors for Sri Lanka A: Wanuja Sahan (62), Sadeera Samarawickrama (52)

The atmosphere in Dambulla was electric, as fans witnessed a masterclass in aggressive batting that redefined expectations for List A cricket. With this win, India A concludes a successful tournament, proving their dominance and tactical maturity on the field.