Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 29-ball 94 gives India A the tri-series title | Cricket News:
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a stunning exhibition of power-hitting to propel India A to a commanding 66-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the tri-series final on Sunday.The teenage sensation smashed 94 off just 29 deliveries, producing one of the most destructive innings List A cricket has ever seen. His explosive knock helped India A pile up 377 for nine before restricting Sri Lanka A to 311 in reply.While pacer: Yash Thakur returning figures of 3/45 and spinner Vipraj Nigam claiming 3/60, the contest was largely shaped by Sooryavanshi’s spectacular attack at the top of the order.Sri Lanka A faced a daunting chase from the start and needed a strong start and continued partnership to stay in contention. However, their innings stumbled early as Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando and Nuwanidu Fernando were all dismissed with only 75 runs on the board in the first 10 overs.The hosts tried to rebuild with a 53-run fourth-wicket stand between Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 52, and captain 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 not enough against a target that required non-stop scoring of 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 was dominated by Sooryavanshi, who bounced back from a relatively quiet tournament in remarkable fashion after being asked to lead.The 15-year-old from Samastipur in Bihar walked out with intent to attack and then 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 a fifty in 2005.His first 11 scoring shots produced 50 runs. The sequence read 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6 as he tore the bowling attack apart from the start. The milestone came through back-to-back sixes straight down the ground from pacer Dulaj Samuditha.Sooryavanshi mixed brute force with exquisite timing throughout his stay. Initially targeting the leg side against seamers, he later extended his range to the off side after Sri Lanka A adjusted their field placements. Even well-crafted deliveries were lost in the stands as he continued his attack.Among the highlights of the innings were his long drives to extra cover. Three effortless sixes in that region highlighted the incredible bat speed, balance and confidence that quickly established him as one of India’s most exciting young prospects.Along 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 next over, giving Sri Lanka A a glimmer of hope.Ruturaj Gaikwad then made 40 and added 63 runs with captain Tilak Varma for the third wicket. Tilak anchored the innings with a measured 67 from 90 balls as the scoring rate slowed.India A lost wickets at regular intervals as they tried to accelerate towards the end, but late cameos from Anukul Roywho hit 39 off 15 balls, and Vipraj Nigam, who hit 27 off 20 deliveries, ensured that the total crossed 350.In the end, however, the end belonged to Sooryavanshi, whose incredible innings laid the platform for a comprehensive win and another reminder of his immense potential.
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