Sooryavanshi launched into the Sri Lankan-A attack.
| Photo Credit: BCCI
A final is supposed to be a contest. But Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had other ideas.
The 15-year-old’s record-shattering 29-ball 94 (10×4, 8×6) laid the foundation for India-A’s imposing 377 for nine before the visitors thrashed Sri Lanka-A by 66 runs to lift the tri-series title at the Rangiri International Stadium on Sunday.
A sizeable crowd had turned up hoping the home side would make the most of familiar conditions. Instead, it witnessed a batting exhibition by the Indian teen.
Sooryavanshi’s first five deliveries disappeared to the boundary — three fours and two sixes. Eleven balls into his innings, he had already raced to a fifty, the fastest in List A cricket. With the Sri Lankan bowlers repeatedly missing their lengths, the southpaw punished anything in his arc as India-A surged to 100 in just 6.3 overs.
Priyansh Arya played the perfect foil after being handed an early reprieve while Sooryavanshi dominated the attack in the 132-run stand. For a while, the fastest List A century looked inevitable. But Sri Lanka-A captain Sahan Arachchige induced a miscued hit that was held at mid-off, ending a breathtaking knock.
By then, however, the damage had been done.
After both openers departed, Ruturaj Gaikwad and captain Tilak Varma put on an 84-run stand for the third wicket. The scoring rate dipped, but India-A remained firmly in control. En route his 90-ball 67, Tilak stitched another half-century partnership with Kumar Kushagra, before three quick wickets briefly threatened to stall the charge.
Late cameos from Vipraj Nigam (27 off 20) and Anukul Roy, whose unbeaten 39 came off just 15 balls, ensured India-A finished with the highest total of the tournament.
Sri Lanka-A put up a fight despite setbacks.
Ashok Sharma, replacing Anshul Kamboj, impressed with his pace, while Yash Thakur’s three wickets kept Sri Lanka-A on the back foot. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Arachchige briefly revived the chase with a 53-run stand until Ashok struck.
Wanuja Sahan and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth added 77 for the seventh wicket, but Vipraj’s three wickets meant India-A was in command. The day, though, belonged to Sooryavanshi, who saved his best for the final and turned the title clash into a spectacle.
The scores: India-A 377/9 in 50 overs (Sooryavanshi 94, Ruturaj 40, Tilak 67) bt Sri Lanka-A 311 in 47.1 overs (Samarawickrama 52, Sahan 62, Yash Thakur 3/45, Vipraj 3/60). Toss: Sri Lanka-A. PoM: Sooryavanshi.
Published – June 21, 2026 07:32 pm IST
