India A began their Tri-Nation ODI Series campaign with an eight-run victory over Sri Lanka A in a closely contested match. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's century and a disciplined bowling effort helped India A secure the win after a late turnaround.
Batting first after winning the toss, India A posted 277 for six in 50 overs. The team did not get the start it had hoped for, but captain Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored the innings with a century. Gaikwad scored 101 runs off 114 balls, including six fours and three sixes, registering his 21st List-A century. His innings played a key role in guiding India A to a competitive total.
Tilak Varma also made an important contribution to the innings. Gaikwad and Tilak added 150 runs for the third wicket, helping the team recover from early setbacks. Tilak scored 60 runs from 97 balls. Priyansh Arya contributed 32 runs, Ayush Badoni made 24, and Suryansh Shedge remained unbeaten on 26.
India A accelerated in the closing overs to reach 277 for six. For Sri Lanka A, Mohammed Shiraz claimed two wickets, while Chamika Karunaratne, Garuka Sanketh and Vanuja Sahan took one wicket each.
Chasing 278, Sri Lanka A made an impressive start as Niroshan Dickwella and Avishka Fernando added 93 runs for the opening wicket. Ayush Badoni brought India A back into the contest with two quick wickets, dismissing Avishka Fernando for 45 and Dickwella for 47. Vipraj Nigam then removed Nuwanidu Fernando to put Sri Lanka A under further pressure.
Following the early setbacks, Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige and Sadeera Samarawickrama steadied the innings with a 78-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Samarawickrama scored 46 runs, while Arachchige made 74 from 72 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
At one stage, Sri Lanka A appeared on course to reach the target. By the time Arachchige was dismissed, the team had reached 262 for seven and remained in contention. The decisive phase came in the closing stages of the innings when India A's bowlers applied pressure and struck regularly. Sri Lanka A lost their last four wickets for just seven runs and were bowled out for 269 in 48.5 overs.
For India A, Arshad Khan, Ayush Badoni, Anukul Roy and Vipraj Nigam claimed two wickets each, while Anshul Kamboj picked up a crucial wicket at an important stage of the match.
