Teenage tornado Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gave it his all in the final, hitting an incredible 29-ball 94 as India A defeated Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to win the Tri-Nation A series at Dambulla on Sunday.
After Sri Lanka A decided to bowl, the 15-year-old powered India A to a formidable 377/9 with a record 11-ball List A fifty that included 10 fours and eight sixes. Thisara Perera’s 13-ball fifty for the Sri Lankan Army in 2021 was surpassed by Sooryavanshi, who achieved the fastest half-century in List A cricket history.
With a mountain of runs to chase, Sri Lanka A lost wickets frequently and were bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs after their run chase never really got underway. With the exception of Sadeera Samarawickrama (52; 44 balls) and Wanuja Sahhan, who led the chase with a 69-ball 62, there was little opposition.
With 3/45 in 7 overs, India A’s new-ball bowler Yash Thakur spearheaded the attack, while Vipraj Nigam finished with 3/60 in 9.1 overs. Tilak Varma, the captain, finished a strong all-around performance with a neat 1/11 from two overs.
After Sooryavanshi’s explosive knock put India A in a commanding position, Varma ensured there were no hiccups with a composed 67 from 90 deliveries.
Before Sri Lanka A rallied with their bowlers Ravindu Fernando (2/72) and Wanuja Sahan (2/39), India A was cruising at 209/2 at the midway point. Anukul Roy, batting at No. 9, provided the last flourish (39 off 15b; 1×4, 4×6) after India A lost five wickets for 51 runs in the back end.
But Sooryavanshi delivered when it mattered the most. The 21-year-old record held by Sri Lankan Kaushalya Weeraratne, who reached the milestone in 2005 with 12 balls, was surpassed by the 15-year-old from Samastipur, Bihar, who reached his half-century in just 11 deliveries.
Sooryavanshi went out with a clear intention and unleashed complete havoc after enduring a modest run in the competition. He destroyed the Sri Lankan assault right away, scoring 50 runs in his first 11 deliveries, which read 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6.
He broke the record with consecutive sixes straight down the ground off bowler Dulaj Samuditha, reaching the milestone with five sixes and an equal number of boundaries.
The left-hander had great timing in addition to physical force. When Sri Lanka A placed another fielder on the on side, he easily opened up the off side after initially focusing on the leg side against the seamers.
His first 11 balls read like a scorecard from a computer game: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6. Once again, his ability to send even excellent shots over the ropes was impressive.
His lofted shots over extra cover were the high point of the innings. He displayed the bat speed, poise, and fearlessness that have made him one of India’s most promising young prospects with three easy sixes in that area.
Sooryavanshi, who scored 132 runs for the first wicket alongside Priyansh Arya (39), appeared to be headed for the fastest century in List A cricket. But in the ninth over, spinner Sahan Arachchige put an end to the spectacle by catching him at mid-off. As Sri Lanka fought their way back into the match, Arya followed an over later.
The flow of boundaries significantly stopped when Ruturaj Gaikwad (40) and Tilak contributed 63 runs for the third wicket. Wickets were lost frequently as India tried to speed in the closing stages, but Nigam and Anukul produced the last flourish.
