India A held their nerve to secure a dramatic 8-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the opening match of the Tri-Nation ODI Series involving Sri Lanka A, India A, and Afghanistan A in Dambulla.
After winning the toss, India A elected to bat first and posted a competitive 277/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad starred with a superb 101, while captain Tilak Varma contributed 60 runs. Priyansh Arya also played a useful knock of 32.
For Sri Lanka A, Mohamed Shiraz picked up 2 wickets, while Chamika Karunaratne, Garuka Sanketh, and Wanuja Sahan claimed one wicket each.
Chasing 278 for victory, Sri Lanka A got off to a flying start thanks to openers Avishka Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella, who put together a solid 93-run opening partnership.
Dickwella scored 47, while Avishka added 45, laying the perfect platform for the chase.
The hosts appeared to be cruising towards victory before India A staged a remarkable comeback. Captain Sahan Arachchige fought hard with a brilliant 74, but his dismissal as the seventh wicket proved to be the turning point.
At that stage, Sri Lanka A were 262/7 and within touching distance of the target. However, the Indian bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse, dismissing the remaining batsmen to bowl Sri Lanka A out for 269.
The wickets were shared by Arshad Khan, Anukul Roy, Ayush Badoni, and Vipraj Nigam, who claimed two wickets each.
With the win, India A make the perfect start to the tri-series, while Sri Lanka A are left wondering what might have been after letting a winning position slip away.
The next match of the tournament will see Afghanistan A take on India A in Dambulla.
