In the final of the Tri-Nation A series, India A will face Sri Lanka A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, with all eyes on teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old opener arrives at the summit clash eager to rediscover his explosive form after a challenging run in the tournament.
Sooryavanshi enjoyed a stellar Indian Premier League 2026 campaign, amassing 776 runs in 16 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 237.31, including a record 72 sixes. However, the slower pitches in Dambulla have tested his aggressive style. Across four matches in the series, he has managed scores of 14, 44, 21, and 38, often failing to convert promising starts. In the recent must-win encounter against Afghanistan A, he appeared tentative but contributed 38 runs.
Just hours before the final, Sooryavanshi sent a clear message of intent by posting the number “100” on his Instagram account, accompanied by the iconic title track from the film *Dangal*, signaling his ambition to score a century in the decisive match.
The buildup carries extra edge following a fiery previous meeting between the sides. In that league clash, the contest ended in a tie after 50 overs, with Sri Lanka A prevailing in the Super Over by 16 runs to 9. Tensions boiled over afterward, leading to a heated on-field exchange involving Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage. India A will be motivated to settle the score in the final.
India A have shown resilience throughout the series. They began with an eight-run victory over Sri Lanka A on June 9, suffered a narrow four-run defeat to Afghanistan A via the DLS method on June 11, fell to Sri Lanka A in the Super Over on June 15, and then bounced back strongly with a 101-run win over Afghanistan A on June 17. In that convincing performance, they successfully defended 319, bowling out the opposition for 218. Captain Tilak Varma, Priyansh Arya, and Kumar Kushagra each scored half-centuries, while left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu claimed four wickets.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the team’s batting anchor, compiling 234 runs, including a century. He is expected to provide stability in the middle order should the top order falter.
Predicted Playing XIs:
India A:
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma (c), Kumar Kushagra (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Anukul Roy, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur.
Sri Lanka A:
Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Avishka Fernando, Vishen Halambage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige (c), Ahan Wickramasinghe, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Mohamed Shiraz, Chamika Gunasekara.
As the two teams prepare for the showdown, the match promises high stakes, personal redemption for key players, and a competitive battle between emerging talents from both nations.