The 15-year-old prodigy set the stage for India’s formidable total of 377 for nine with a breathtaking performance that featured the fastest fifty in List A cricket history, achieving the milestone in a mere 11 deliveries.
Sri Lanka A countered with 311 all out, falling significantly short despite half-centuries from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Wanuj Sahan. Yash Thakur and Vipraj Nigam each took three wickets, ensuring India A’s comfortable triumph.
Batting first, India A exploded into action, thanks to Sooryavanshi and Priyansh Arya, who combined for 132 runs at the top of the order. Sooryavanshi led the charge, dismantling the Sri Lankan bowling attack from the start with an impressive blend of clean hitting and fearless aggression.
The left-handed batsman broke the previous List A record for the fastest fifty, a record that had stood since 2005. His first 11 balls yielded 50 runs, featuring five boundaries and five sixes, as he effortlessly cleared the ropes time and again.
Sooryavanshi seemed on track for a record-breaking century until spinner Sahan Arachchige ended his innings at 94 in the ninth over.
Following this explosive start, captain Tilak Varma steadied the innings with a composed 67 off 90 deliveries, while Ruturaj Gaikwad chipped in with 40. In the later stages, Anukul Roy scored 39 off 15 balls and Vipraj Nigam added 27 from 20 deliveries, propelling India A past the 350-run mark.
Chasing a total of 378, Sri Lanka A lost crucial early wickets and failed to form the sustained partnerships needed to challenge the target. Samarawickrama contributed 52, while Wanuj Sahan scored 62 lower in the order, but the required run rate escalated throughout their innings.
Thakur and Nigam provided vital breakthroughs consistently, as Sri Lanka A was ultimately bowled out for 311.
