Sri Lanka A held their nerve in a dramatic Super Over to edge India A by seven runs in a thrilling tri-series encounter at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Monday, handing the visitors a second successive defeat in the competition.
After both sides finished tied on 265, left-arm spinner Kugathas Mathulan emerged as the hero for the hosts, successfully defending 16 runs in the Super Over and restricting India A to just nine.
The match, however, was overshadowed by a series of heated exchanges and controversial decisions in the closing stages. India A captain Tilak Varma repeatedly questioned the umpires over a crucial final-ball call in fading light, while frustrations grew further during the Super Over following a reversal by the third umpire and disputed wide and no-ball decisions.
Earlier, India A recovered from a precarious 143/7 thanks to a crucial 104-run partnership between Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam, who struck fighting half-centuries to lift the visitors to a competitive 265 before Sri Lanka A matched the total through Sadeera Samarawickrama’s composed 93.
In the Super Over, Arshad Khan immediately struck with a dipping full toss that appeared to have dismissed Avishka Fernando. The on‑field umpires adjudged Fernando out, but the third umpire overturned the decision after reviewing the replay. Varma was visibly upset and engaged in a prolonged discussion with the officials, expressing his displeasure at the reversal.
Tempers flared again at the end of the match, with Sooryavanshi visibly upset after missing the shot on the last ball and engaged in a brief exchange with Vishen Halambage before being pulled away by his batting partner Suryansh Shedge. That was not all – after they were separated, Sooryavanshi continued to talk in the direction of the Sri Lanka A huddle while walking back to the pavilion.
The teams eventually shook hands, but the contest ended on a sour note. Earlier, India ‘A’ had staged a remarkable recovery from 143/7, thanks to a 104‑run eighth‑wicket stand between Shedge and Vipraj Nigam. Nigam made 51 off 49 balls and Shedge struck 72 off 66 deliveries to lift the total to 265, though the former’s two warnings for running on the pitch proved costly as India were docked 10 penalty runs.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ were kept in the chase by Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 93 off 113 balls, while Arshad Khan bowled a brilliant final over that nearly turned the match in India A’s favour, though the hosts prevailed at the end to give the visitors their second straight defeat in the competition. India A now must beat Afghanistan A on Wednesday if they are to enter the final of the tri-series.
Brief Scores: India A 265/10 in 49.2 overs (Suryansh Shedge 72, Vipraj Nigam 51; Vijaykanth Viyaskanth 3-26, Mohamed Shiraz 3-33) tied with Sri Lanka A 265/9 in 50 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 93, Niroshan Dickwella 37; Ayush Badoni 2-45, Suryansh Shedge 1-13) – Sri Lanka A won the Super Over
(With agency inputs)