Xplorich
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a breathtaking exhibition of power-hitting to propel India A to a commanding 66-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the final of the tri-series on Sunday.The teenage sensation smashed 94 off just 29 deliveries, producing one of the most destructive innings seen in List A cricket. His explosive knock helped India A pile up 377 for nine before restricting Sri Lanka A to 311 in reply.While pacer Yash Thakur returned figures of 3/45 and spinner Vipraj Nigam claimed 3/60, the contest was largely shaped by Sooryavanshi’s remarkable assault at the top of the order.Sri Lanka A faced a daunting chase from the outset and needed both a strong start and sustained partnerships to stay in contention. Instead, their innings stumbled early as Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando and Nuwanidu Fernando were all dismissed with just 75 runs on the board inside the first 10 overs.The hosts attempted to rebuild through a 53-run fourth-wicket stand between Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 52, and captain Sahan Arachchige, who contributed 38. Later, Wanuj Sahan struck 62 and shared a 77-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (39).However, those efforts were never enough against a target that demanded relentless scoring at more than eight runs per over. Sri Lanka A eventually crossed the 300-run mark but never seriously threatened India’s total.Earlier, India A’s innings had been dominated by Sooryavanshi, who bounced back from a relatively quiet tournament in spectacular fashion after being asked to bat first.The 15-year-old from Samastipur in Bihar walked 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 only 11 balls, surpassing the previous List A record set by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne, who had taken 12 deliveries to bring up a fifty in 2005.His first 11 scoring shots produced a staggering 50 runs. The sequence read 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6 as he tore into the bowling attack from the very beginning. The milestone arrived through back-to-back sixes straight down the ground off pacer Dulaj Samuditha.Sooryavanshi mixed brute force with exquisite timing throughout his stay. Initially targeting the leg side against the seamers, he later expanded his range to the off side after Sri Lanka A adjusted their field placements. Even well-executed deliveries disappeared into the stands as he continued his assault.Among the standout features of the innings were his lofted drives over extra cover. Three effortless sixes in that region highlighted the exceptional bat speed, balance and confidence that have quickly established him as one of India’s most exciting young prospects.Together with Priyansh Arya, who scored 39, Sooryavanshi put on 132 runs for the opening wicket and appeared on course to register the fastest century in List A cricket.The fireworks finally ended in the ninth over when spinner Sahan Arachchige induced a catch at mid-off. Arya departed in the following over, giving Sri Lanka A a glimmer of hope.Ruturaj Gaikwad then made 40 and added 63 runs alongside captain Tilak Varma for the third wicket. Tilak anchored the innings with a measured 67 from 90 balls as the scoring rate briefly slowed.India A lost wickets at regular intervals while attempting to accelerate towards the end, but late cameos from Anukul Roy, who hammered 39 off 15 balls, and Vipraj Nigam, who struck 27 from 20 deliveries, ensured the total surged beyond 350.Ultimately, though, the final belonged to Sooryavanshi, whose extraordinary innings laid the platform for a comprehensive triumph and another reminder of his immense potential.
