Sai Sudharsan hits career-best 168 as India A take 175-run lead over Sri Lanka A

Sai Sudharsan produced a superb career-best knock of 168 to power India A into a commanding position against Sri Lanka A, helping the visitors secure a 175-run first-innings lead at the close of Day Three of the second unofficial Test on Saturday.

Resuming unbeaten on 104, the left-hander batted with patience and authority to anchor India A’s innings as they reached 541/8 in 142 overs at stumps in reply to Sri Lanka A’s first-innings total of 366.

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India A suffered an early setback when overnight batter Devdutt Padikkal fell for 94 without adding to his overnight score, while Ruturaj Gaikwad was forced to retire hurt after making 13. However, Sudharsan remained unfazed, stitching together crucial partnerships to ensure the visitors maintained complete control.

The stylish left-hander first combined with captain Dhruv Jurel, who made a composed 53 off 88 deliveries, before adding another valuable stand with Shaik Rasheed, whose brisk 45 came from just 51 balls.

Sudharsan’s marathon innings finally ended on 168 off 267 deliveries, decorated with 22 boundaries, after left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera trapped him. The knock surpassed his previous highest score for India A and further strengthened his growing reputation as one of India’s brightest batting prospects.

Sudeera was among the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with 3-101 after also dismissing Jurel, while medium-pacer Keshara Nuwantha shouldered the bulk of the workload to return figures of 4-158 from 50 overs, accounting for Padikkal, Rasheed and Gurnoor Brar.

India A’s lower order then added to Sri Lanka A’s frustration. Saransh Jain struck an unbeaten 68 and shared an invaluable 81-run ninth-wicket partnership with Auqib Nabi Dar (30), pushing the visitors beyond the 500-run mark before skipper Sahan Arachchige claimed the day’s final wicket.

With a healthy 175-run lead in hand and two wickets still intact, India A head into the fourth day firmly in command of the contest.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka A 366 trail India A 541/8 in 142 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94, Dhruv Jurel 53; Keshara Nuwantha 4-158, Dilum Sudeera 3-101) by 175 runs.