It was a close call that decided the first game of the one-day tri-series in Dambulla as India A got a 100-run win with a Vijay-like Ruturaj Gaikwad Century. Against a difficult opponent who put a lot of pressure on the batters, Gaikwad’s looked style of century was the backbone of India’s innings and their able response by Suryansh Shedge and Anukul Roy kept the visitors in check in the dramatic manner.
Indian A teenager sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, also took a chance at debut for his fabulous performance in the match. The 15-year-old proved he saved a couple of times with his ball during short burst on the crease, but he was clearly one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket, reminding everyone why.
Ultimately, India A were able to firm their hold and boost their competition credentials for their Sri Lanka campaign with a much-needed win in a nerve-racking run chase.
Sooryavanshi gives a glimpse of future.
First of all, players’ focus before the match was mainly focused on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. From when he first touched the pitch in Sri Lanka, the young batsman has already caught the fancy of all the fans, media as well as the cricket stars.
Soon after the wait started. Sooryavanshi gave a direct hit on the very first ball of his career after a composite opening stand with India A. In his few innings he played some pretty good shots, and showed both a lot of braveness and desire.
His 14 runs were from 12 deliveries of which he hit four boundaries. The innings came to a close when he poured one on an ambitious lofted delivery that was brilliantly stuck by Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige, but it sure was an entertaining knock to suggest further grand displays may be in the cards for him.
However, Sooryavanshi still had a long way to go in his case in India A. There will be plenty of chances for him to make a better impression as he heads to Ireland as the senior squad for India, with other matches to be played in the tournament ahead of him.
Gaikwad delivers a Masterclass Under Pressure
He, however, really did shine when it came to Gaikwad. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 100 was the perfect stroke of luck at the right time and is a good reason why the veteran batsman is one of the most reliable players of the game in the 100-over format.
The brilliance of Gaikwad in making that catch came as a replacement for injured Riyan Parag, the first position up for grabs. His number 4 stint went off without a wrinkle at neglegging pace and he was able to control himself.
Rather than depending on the limitations heavily, Gaikwad were at the centrel of rotating the attack and forming alliances. He knew perfectly what the conditions were like, during 114 balls to 101 runs from a long innings.
On the 49, Sri Lanka A missed a stumping chance but Gaikwad was quick enough on his second attempt and added another fine century to his tally. This was an important milestone on a career in which he reached it in the quickest time in List A history, having become the 21st batsman of all-time to achieve the milestone.
He scored a valuable 150 with captain Tilak Varma to launch a spirited 277 partnership into India’s innings.
Alexandra O’Callahan and Noelle Schiestl Change the Momentum
In the meantime, the all-rounders of India made deadlines.
Suryansh Shedge, representing his second Test appearance for the sruke playing in Sri Lanka, then added a classy 26 from a mere 14 balls for the net. Those runs eventually made the difference in a close game where each and every run was pivotal.
The value added he brought did not end at the bat. Shedge, however, had something to offer to create movement and to create bounce with the ball and it was a regular feature of Sri Lanka A’s top order to be held up. He got to give people a glimpse of his change of form and has solidified the perception of him being a good seam bowler all rounder.
Meanwhile, Anukul Roy dished out one of the match grammar. While his figures of 2 wickets might not look particularly impressive, the way he had done them made a dramatic difference to the course of the chase.
Roy broke an undeniable alliance to come back in his next spell to hit again. Those bowlers’ wickets turned Sri Lanka A’s complacency to one of uncertainty and allowed India A the chance to take back the control.
Sri Lanka A Fall Short, Arachchige’s Fight
Lastly, Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige came up with an impressive 74 in Sri Lanka’s resistance. He played some innings that denied the hosts from taking the lead and seemed to give him a shot at the goal multiple times in the pursuit of the hosts’ goals.
Things changed when the pressure mounted in the last overs, though, as the Indians A bowlers held their line and failed to inject the required pace. Sri Lanka A were decided to be out of the race after their wickets fell regularly, recycling the effort of Lakshmi a number of times.Sri Lanka A’s efforts were disrupted regularly with wickets just falling, easily passed on along the way to Lakshmi.
After being backed out 269 over in the 49th over, the hosts missed their target by eight runs.
A brilliant game finally saw the end in a great bout. Along with enlightened contributions from Tilak Varma, Suryansh Shedge and Anukul Roy, it helped India A register a hard fought win to begin the tri-series campaign on a good note. Equally importantly, the match gave a gusto-filled prospectus of the future of the country’s cricketing scenario in the shape of debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi whose career is just about to begin.
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