India Vaibhav Suryavanshi (SLC via PTI Photo)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a stunning display of power-hitting to propel India A to a blistering 66-run win over Sri Lanka A in the final of the tri-series on Sunday.The teenage sensation smashed 94 off just 29 deliveries, resulting in one of the most devastating innings ever seen in List A cricket. His explosive knock helped India A compile 377 for nine before Sri Lanka A were restricted to 311 in reply.
While spinner Yash Thakur returned figures of 3/45 and spinner Viraj Nigam took 3/60, the contest was largely shaped by Sooryavanshi’s impressive attack at the top of the order.Sri Lanka A faced an uphill chase from the start and needed a strong start and sustained partnerships to stay in the competition.
Instead, their innings faltered early as Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando and Nuwanidu Fernando were dismissed with just 75 runs on the board over the first 10 overs.The hosts attempted to rebuild with a 53-run fourth-wicket stand between Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 52, and skipper Sahan Arachchige, who contributed 38. Later, Wanuj Sahan scored 62 and shared a 77-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (39).
However, these efforts were never enough against a target that required relentless scoring of more than eight runs every over. Sri Lanka A eventually crossed the 300-run mark but did not seriously threaten India’s total.Earlier, India A’s innings was dominated by Sooryavanshi, who bounced back from a relatively quiet tournament in stunning fashion after being asked to bat first.The 15-year-old from Samastipur in Bihar came out with attacking intent and immediately put the Sri Lankan bowlers under immense pressure.
He rewrote the record books by reaching his half-century in just 11 balls, surpassing the previous List A record set by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne, who took 12 deliveries to reach his fifty in 2005.His first 11 shots produced an astonishing 50 points. The sequence reads 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6 and he storms into the bowling attack from the start. He achieved the feat through successive straight sixes off the ground off Dulaj Samuditha.Sooryavanshi mixed brute force with exquisite timing throughout his stay. Initially targeting the leg side against the seamers, he later extended his range to the off side after Sri Lanka A adjusted their fielding positions. Even well-executed deliveries disappeared into the stands as he continued his attack.Among the notable features of the innings was his soaring drive over extra cover. Three easy sixes in that territory highlighted the exceptional bat speed, balance and confidence that has quickly made him one of India’s most exciting young players.Along with Priyansh Arya, who scored 39, Sooryavanshi scored 132 runs for the opening wicket and appeared on his way to scoring the fastest century in List A cricket.The fireworks finally ended in the ninth minute when spinner Sahan Arachchige made a catch at mid-off. Arya departed in the next over, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.Ruturaj Gaikwad then made 40 runs and added 63 runs along with skipper Tilak Varma for the third wicket.
Tilak stabilized the innings with a measured 67 off 90 balls as the scoring rate slowed briefly.India A lost wickets at regular intervals as they tried to accelerate towards the end, but late appearances from Anukul Roy, who scored 39 off 15 balls, and Vibraj Nigam, who scored 27 off 20 deliveries, ensured the total rose to over 350.However, in the end, the final went to Suryavanshi, whose exceptional innings paved the way for a comprehensive victory and another reminder of his immense potential.