Dambulla: India A emerged triumphant in the ODI Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A here on Sunday, with Tilak Varma and his men lifting the trophy in memorable fashion. The undisputed star of the match was Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed 94 runs off just 29 balls, including eight sixes and ten fours.
Dambulla: India A emerged triumphant in the ODI Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A here on Sunday, with Tilak Varma and his men lifting the trophy in memorable fashion. The undisputed star of the match was Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed 94 runs off just 29 balls, including eight sixes and ten fours.
Chasing India A’s massive total of 377/9, Sri Lanka A fought hard but were eventually bowled out for 311 in the 48th over, handing India A a comfortable 66-run victory.
The final carried added significance after the heated encounter between the two teams in their previous match. Sri Lankan players had reportedly engaged in verbal exchanges throughout that game and particularly targeted Suryavanshi. Following India’s defeat in the Super Over, some Sri Lankan players allegedly provoked the youngster, leading to a brief altercation in which Suryavanshi pushed a few opposition players. On Sunday, however, he delivered the perfect response with the bat, dismantling the Sri Lankan attack in spectacular fashion.
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Suryavanshi, who was named Player of the Match, has already earned a place in India’s senior T20 squad. He is set to tour Ireland later this month, and Sunday’s final was his last match before representing the senior national team.
The teenager has now played a decisive role in two major international finals in succession. Before the IPL, he powered India to the Under-19 World Cup title with a stunning 175 in the final. He followed that up by inspiring India A to another championship victory with yet another match-winning performance.
50 Runs in 11 Balls: A New World Record
Suryavanshi reached his half-century in just 11 balls, setting a new world record in List A cricket. He surpassed the previous mark of a 12-ball fifty held by former Sri Lankan cricketer Weeraratne.
The explosive opener raced to the milestone with five sixes and five fours before continuing his assault to finish on 94. Along with fellow opener Priyansh Arya, who scored 39 off 29 balls with one six and six fours, Suryavanshi added 132 runs for the opening wicket in just 8.5 overs.
Yash Also Plays Key Role in India’s Triumph
Like Sri Lanka A, India A used a seven-man bowling attack. Fast bowler Yash Thakur was the most successful, returning figures of 3 for 45 from seven overs.
Thakur struck early and removed Sri Lanka A’s top three batsmen, putting the hosts under immediate pressure. Had Sri Lanka enjoyed a stronger start, they might have mounted a more serious challenge, but Thakur ensured that never happened.
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He dismissed Niroshan Dickwella (25), Avishka Fernando (3) and Nuwanidu Fernando (21), leaving major dents in Sri Lanka’s chase. Spinner Vipraj Nigam also impressed with figures of 3 for 60 in 9.1 overs, while off-spinner Anukul Roy claimed 2 for 42 and broke two important partnerships.
Pacer Ashok Sharma and captain Tilak Varma chipped in with a wicket each. For Sri Lanka A, half-centuries from Vanuja Sahan (62) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (52) went in vain as the hosts fell well short of the target.