India A crush Afghanistan A by 101 runs, enter tri-series final in Dambulla

Captain Tilak Varma led from the front with a composed half-century, while left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu starred with the ball as India A booked their place in the final of the 50-over tri-series with a convincing 101-run victory over Afghanistan A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

A collective batting effort powered India A to a formidable 319/9, with Tilak (59), Priyansh Arya (58) and Kumar Kushagra (58) all striking fluent fifties. Afghanistan A never seriously threatened the target, folding for 218 in 36.5 overs as Sindhu returned impressive figures of 4-31.

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Opening the innings in the absence of Prabhsimran Singh, Arya seized the opportunity with an aggressive 58 off just 42 balls, peppered with eight fours and a six. He added 75 runs in only eight overs with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (38), giving India A the ideal platform for a big total.

Although Arya’s dismissal slowed the scoring rate briefly, the middle order ensured India A maintained control. Kumar Kushagra, brought into the XI in place of Ayush Badoni, stitched together a crucial 104-run stand with Tilak, while Vipraj Nigam’s brisk 30 off 20 deliveries provided the finishing flourish that lifted the total beyond the 300-run mark.

Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Farmanullah Safi took two wickets.

During the chase, Afghanistan was restricted to 70/3, but an 87-run stand between Faisal Shinozada (46 in 56 balls, with two fours and a six) and Bahir Shah (57 in 52 balls, with four boundaries and a six) helped Afghanistan fight back.

It was not meant to be for Afghanistan as Sindhu (4/31) and Yash Thakur (2/48) helped India restrict them to 218 in 36.5 overs.

Anshul Kamboj, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj and Anukul Roy also got a wicket, with Sindhu given the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

(With agency inputs)