Sri Lanka A emerged victorious in one of the most dramatic matches of the tri-series on Monday, defeating India A in a Super Over after a contest that featured a tied finish, confusion over playing conditions, a heated argument involving captain Tilak Varma and the umpires, and a post-match altercation involving teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The game swung repeatedly before Sri Lanka A finally got over the line, avenging the late collapse that had cost them victory against the same opponents earlier in the tournament.
After being asked to bat first, India A posted 265 after recovering from a precarious position through a remarkable lower-order partnership.
Sooryavanshi provided early momentum with a brisk 21 off 14 balls, smashing
Chamika Gunasekara for a six and two boundaries before falling to off-spinner Sahan Arachchige. Tilak Varma (23) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (32) then steadied the innings with a 52-run stand for the third wicket.
However, Sri Lanka A’s spinners seized control on a sluggish surface. From a comfortable 91 for 2, India A slipped to 143 for 7 as Vijaykanth Viyaskanth trapped Gaikwad lbw, and the middle order struggled against disciplined spin bowling. Tilak also departed after attempting an aggressive shot against slingy pacer Kugathas Mathulan.
Just when India A seemed headed for a below-par total, Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam launched a superb rescue act. The pair added 104 runs for the eighth wicket, combining intelligent strike rotation with timely boundary-hitting.
Shedge, who is making quite an impression of late, struck 72 off 66 balls, including three fours and two sixes, while Nigam contributed a composed 51 off 49 deliveries with six boundaries. Their partnership lifted India A to a competitive 265 and highlighted the depth of India’s emerging talent pool.
Sri Lanka A’s chase revolved around Sadeera Samarawickrama, whose sublime 91 kept the hosts on course throughout the innings. With support from the middle order, Sri Lanka A gradually edged closer to the target and entered the final over needing only five runs for victory.
But Arshad Khan had other ideas. The left-arm pacer delivered a superb final over under pressure, repeatedly finding the blockhole and conceding only four runs. The drama peaked on the last ball when Sri Lanka A, needing two runs to win, managed only one before a run-out attempting the second left the scores tied.
Super Over = Drama x 2
Even then, the drama was not over.
There was considerable confusion about whether a Super Over could be played because of fading light. The umpires initially appeared reluctant to continue, prompting animated protests from Tilak Varma and members of the India A support staff.
Following lengthy discussions in the middle, the officials reversed course and agreed to settle the contest with a Super Over.
Arshad returned to bowl the tiebreaker but could not replicate his heroics. Sri Lanka A accumulated 18 runs through a combination of aggressive batting and costly extras. The over included a wide and a no-ball, while Avishka Fernando smashed a towering six straight down the ground.
More drama followed on the final delivery. Fernando was caught in the circle, but the dismissal was overturned after the third umpire ruled the high full toss a no-ball.
India A had already begun walking off, while Sooryavanshi had padded up for the chase, before players were recalled for the free hit. So, Tilak and the team staff engaged in further angry discussions.
Eventually, Sri Lanka A managed a bye off the extra delivery, taking their total to 18.
India A sent out Shedge and Sooryavanshi, with many surprised that the explosive teenager did not take strike first. Mathulan, however, remained ice-cool under pressure.
Repeated yorkers restricted India A’s scoring opportunities, and despite Sooryavanshi finding the boundary off the fifth ball, the equation remained daunting. Needing eight from the final delivery, he was beaten comprehensively by another pinpoint yorker as Sri Lanka A sealed a memorable victory.
Emotions spilled over immediately after the finish. Shedge and Sooryavanshi were involved in a heated exchange with Sri Lankan players, and the latter appeared to push one of them as celebrations and frustrations collided following an unforgettable contest.
