India A commenced their first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Galle with a steady start, reaching 31 without loss after 10 overs on the opening morning. Openers Sai Sudharsan and Ayush Pandey navigated a disciplined new-ball attack, frustrating the host bowlers.
The match, part of a two-match unofficial Test series, offers several emerging Indian cricketers an opportunity to showcase their red-ball skills. Dhruv Jurel, captain and wicketkeeper for India A, won the toss and elected to bat first.
Cautious Opening Partnership
The initial overs saw a cautious approach from the India A openers. The first three overs of the innings yielded no runs, highlighting the tight bowling from Sri Lanka A’s Dulaj Samuditha and Kavindu Pathiratne. Samuditha bowled three overs for five runs, including a maiden, while Pathiratne conceded four runs from his two overs.
After five overs, India A stood at 9 without loss, with both Sudharsan and Pandey focusing on seeing off the new ball rather than taking risks. Sudharsan eventually broke the scoring drought with a three-run shot off Samuditha in the fifth over, followed by a single. Ayush Pandey also got off the mark with a single later in the same over.
The breakthrough for boundaries came in the sixth over when Sudharsan hit a boundary off Pathiratne. Ayush Pandey followed this in the next over, striking back-to-back fours off Samuditha, which helped shift the momentum. By the 10-over mark, Sudharsan was unbeaten on 16 off 34 balls, and Pandey had compiled 11 from 29 deliveries.
Sri Lanka A introduced Chamika Gunasekara into the attack in the ninth over, but Sudharsan greeted him with a boundary and a single, keeping the scoreboard moving. Despite a modest scoring rate, the Indian openers successfully denied Sri Lanka A an early wicket.
Opportunities for Indian Talent
This unofficial Test series is a significant platform for several India A players looking to strengthen their claims for higher honours in red-ball cricket. The squad includes players like Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who are all aiming to bolster their credentials for top-order berths in the senior national team.
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi Dar, who claimed 60 wickets during Jammu & Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy triumph, is among those eager to make a strong statement. His omission from India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan had sparked debate, and strong performances in Sri Lanka could bolster his case for national selection, particularly with India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, where seam-friendly conditions might suit his bowling style.
Anshul Kamboj, another pacer, will be hoping for a strong performance to revive his red-ball prospects after a difficult Test debut in England last year. Harsh Dubey, who recently made his ODI debut, and Gurnoor Brar, who also impressed on his ODI debut against Afghanistan, are also part of the squad, adding depth to the team.
The series is expected to provide a valuable learning experience, especially with conditions in Sri Lanka traditionally favouring spin, patience, and discipline. The India A squad is led by Dhruv Jurel, with Devdutt Padikkal serving as vice-captain. Other notable players in the squad include Shaik Rasheed, Saransh Jain, Yash Thakur, and wicketkeeper N Jagadeesan.
Sri Lanka A, captained by Sahan Arachchige, features experienced wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella in their playing XI. The first unofficial Test is scheduled to run from June 25-28 at the Galle International Stadium.
The India A playing XI for the match includes Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel (captain & wicketkeeper), Shaik Rasheed, Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, and Auqib Nabi Dar.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
