The Tri-Nation A Series match between India A and Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on Monday delivered a spectacle filled with drama, controversy, confusion, and a thrilling Super Over finish. Just when Sri Lanka A seemed poised for victory, India A struck twice in the final over to force a tie and eventually a Super Over.
Confusion over final-ball leg bye
Needing one run to win off the final ball, Sri Lanka A batter Chamika Gunasekara was struck on the pad by a low full toss from Arshad Khan. The ball rolled away, allowing the batters to complete a run before Gunasekara was run out attempting a second. As the scores leveled, the umpires signaled a tie, but India A captain Tilak Varma immediately questioned whether the first run should have counted. The Indian players argued that Gunasekara had not offered a shot, so the leg bye should not have been awarded. After lengthy discussions, the umpires confirmed the run and declared the match tied, setting up a Super Over.
More controversy in the Super Over
The drama escalated as Sri Lanka A batted first in the Super Over. With fading light becoming a major concern and no floodlights available, every delivery carried extra tension. India's players were frustrated by a wide call on the second ball after the delivery appeared to hit the batter's boot. The disagreement continued throughout the over. The biggest moment came on the final ball when Arshad Khan bowled a waist-high full toss to Avishka Fernando, who mistimed and was caught. However, the delivery was ruled a no-ball for height, sparking fresh protests from Indian players, some of whom had started walking back to the dressing room before being called back. The no-ball allowed Sri Lanka A to finish with 18 runs in the Super Over.
Fading light adds to tension
The match was played under increasingly poor light conditions, with players and officials repeatedly discussing whether enough daylight remained to complete the contest. Tilak Varma was seen speaking to both umpires and his Sri Lankan counterpart as visibility concerns grew. Since floodlights were not used for the tournament, officials had to ensure fair conditions for both sides.
Sri Lanka A hold their nerve to win Super Over
Sri Lanka A held their nerve to emerge victorious in a match packed with twists. Asked to chase 19 runs after Sri Lanka A posted 18 in the Super Over, India A sent out the explosive pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Suryansh Shedge. Despite their hitting ability, Sri Lanka A bowler Kughadas Mathulan delivered a superb over under pressure. India A could manage only 10 runs without losing a wicket in their six deliveries, falling eight runs short of the target.
