Auqib Nabi claimed a four-wicket haul as India A bowled out Sri Lanka A for 199, establishing a 170-run lead after day three of the unofficial Test in Bengaluru. The right-arm pacer finished with figures of 4/47, dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
India A's Bowling Dominance
Resuming at 89/3, Sri Lanka A struggled against India A's disciplined bowling attack. Auqib Nabi struck early, removing overnight batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama for 41. He then dismissed captain Charith Asalanka for 23, caught behind by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. The middle order collapsed, with only Nipun Dhananjaya offering resistance with a gritty 52 off 108 balls.
Spinner Rahul Chahar chipped in with two wickets, while pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla took one. The Sri Lankan innings folded in 68.4 overs, giving India A a significant lead.
India A's Second Innings
India A began their second innings with a lead of 170 runs. Openers Prithvi Shaw and Abhimanyu Easwaran added 45 runs for the first wicket before Shaw was dismissed for 28. Easwaran remained unbeaten on 34, with India A at 68/1 at stumps. The team aims to set a challenging target for Sri Lanka A on day four.
Key Performances
Auqib Nabi's spell was the highlight, as he consistently troubled the batsmen with his pace and movement. According to team sources, the bowler said, "I focused on hitting the right lengths and letting the pitch do the rest. The support from the slip fielders was excellent."
Nipun Dhananjaya's half-century was the only bright spot for Sri Lanka A, as he held the innings together. However, lack of support from the other end led to their downfall.
Match Context
The unofficial Test is part of the bilateral series between India A and Sri Lanka A. A strong performance here could boost the players' chances of national team selection. India A's dominant position puts them in control of the match.
