Sooryavanshi's Blitz Seals Tri-Series Triumph
Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a breathtaking 29-ball 94, including 10 fours and eight sixes, to power India A to a commanding 377/9 in the Team Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A on Sunday. The 15-year-old's record 11-ball List A fifty set the platform for a comprehensive 66-run victory in Dambulla.
After Sri Lanka A elected to bowl first, Sooryavanshi launched a ferocious assault, racing to his half-century in just 11 deliveries—the fastest in List A history. His innings, laced with clean striking, took the game away from the hosts early. Skipper Tilak Varma played the anchor role with a composed 67 off 90 balls, adding 147 runs for the second wicket with Sooryavanshi.
India A Postdaunting Total Despite Middle-Order Collapse
India A were cruising at 209/2 at the halfway mark before Sri Lanka A's spinners—Ravindu Fernando (2/72) and Wanuja Sahan (2/39)—staged a comeback, triggering a collapse that saw five wickets fall for 51 runs. However, Anukul Roy, batting at No. 9, provided the late fireworks with a 15-ball 39 (1 four, 4 sixes) to push the total past 370.
Sooryavanshi's innings ended on 94 off 29 balls, falling just six short of a well-deserved century. His strike rate of 324.13 underlined the dominance of his knock, which included eight sixes and 10 fours. Varma's steady hand ensured India A did not lose momentum after the early fireworks.
Sri Lanka A's Chase Falls Apart
Chasing a stiff target of 378, Sri Lanka A never got going and were bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama (52 off 44 balls) and Wanuja Sahhan (62 off 69 balls) offered some resistance, but regular wickets kept the required rate climbing. New-ball bowler Yash Thakur led the Indian attack with 3/45 in 7 overs, while Vipraj Nigam (3/60 in 9.1 overs) cleaned up the tail. Skipper Varma also chipped in with a tidy 1/11 from two overs.
The win sealed the Tri-Series title for India A, with Sooryavanshi's explosive batting earning him the Player of the Match award. The teenager's record-breaking performance highlighted his potential as a future star for Indian cricket.
Brief Scores
India A: 377/9 in 50 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 94, Tilak Varma 67; Wanuja Sahan 2/39, Ravindu Fernando 2/72)
Sri Lanka A: 311 all out in 47.1 overs (Wanuja Sahhan 62, Sadeera Samarawickrama 52; Yash Thakur 3/45, Vipraj Nigam 3/60)
