Galle: An innings of 168 by Sai Sudharsan put India A in a dominant position against Sri Lanka A on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test in Galle. The left-handed batter’s composed and technically sound knock helped India A post a massive 541/8, taking a commanding first-innings lead of 175 runs over the hosts.
Resuming the day unbeaten on 104, Sudharsan displayed remarkable consistency and patience to convert his overnight score into a career-best performance in India A colours. His innings came off 267 balls and included 22 boundaries, underlining both his control and ability to accelerate when needed.
India A build on strong foundation
India A began the day with mixed fortunes. Devdutt Padikkal, who had looked set for a century overnight, was dismissed early for 94 without adding to his score. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad had to retire hurt after scoring 13, creating a brief moment of uncertainty for the visitors.
However, Sudharsan ensured that the momentum was not lost. He found solid support from captain Dhruv Jurel, who contributed a steady 53 off 88 balls, and Shaik Rasheed, who added a quick 45. These partnerships helped India A consolidate their position and extend their advantage over Sri Lanka A.
Sri Lanka A bowlers toil hard
Sri Lanka A’s bowlers had to work hard on a batting-friendly surface. Medium-pacer Keshara Nuwantha was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 wickets for 158 runs in a demanding spell of 50 overs. His scalps included key batters such as Padikkal, Rasheed, and Gurnoor Brar.
Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera provided crucial breakthroughs during the middle session. He first dismissed Jurel and later ended Sudharsan’s marathon innings, which had anchored India A’s dominance throughout the day.
Despite these efforts, the Sri Lankan attack struggled to contain the Indian batters, especially as fatigue began to set in during the latter half of the innings.
Lower order extends dominance
India A’s lower order capitalised effectively on the tiring bowling unit. Saransh Jain played a vital role with an unbeaten 68, showcasing resilience and attacking intent. He stitched together an important 81-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Auqib Nabi Dar, who scored a valuable 30.
This late surge ensured that India A crossed the 500-run mark, putting them firmly in control of the match. The partnership not only added crucial runs but also demoralised the Sri Lankan bowlers, who had already spent long hours in the field.
Eventually, Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige managed to break the stand by dismissing Auqib Nabi Dar, but by then the damage had already been done.
Match situation firmly in India A’s favour
With Sri Lanka A having posted 366 in their first innings, India A’s total of 541/8 gave them a significant lead of 175 runs. The advantage places the visitors in a strong position heading into the final phase of the match.
Sudharsan’s innings stands out as the defining performance of the match so far, combining patience, shot selection, and composure under pressure. His ability to anchor the innings while building partnerships has been crucial in shaping India A’s dominance.
Conclusion
Sai Sudharsan’s magnificent 168 has not only strengthened his credentials as a future prospect for the senior Indian team but also placed India A in a commanding position in the match. With a substantial lead and momentum on their side, the visitors will now look to press for a victory, while Sri Lanka A face an uphill task to recover in the remaining days of the contest.