Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige scored an unbeaten 83 to help his team reach 288 for 5 at stumps on the opening day of the second unofficial Test against India A in Galle. Arachchige’s innings, which included nine fours and a six from 148 balls, was crucial after India A bowlers Yash Thakur and Saransh Jain each took two wickets.
Arachchige formed a significant 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara, who contributed 42 runs before being dismissed by off-spinner Jain. Despite the early breakthroughs by the Indian bowlers, Sri Lanka A managed to recover and maintain a strong position.
Bowling Efforts from India A
Yash Thakur concluded the day with figures of 2 for 32 from 14 overs, while Saransh Jain took 2 for 77 from 24 overs. Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar also claimed a wicket, finishing with 1 for 49 from 15 overs. Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, playing his first red-ball match in six years, was unable to take a wicket, conceding 64 runs from his 16 overs.
The pitch in Galle proved to be slow, making it challenging for bowlers to secure wickets. Sri Lanka A openers Pawantha Weerasinghe (39) and Sohan di Livera (28) established an initial partnership of 53 runs. Thakur provided the first breakthrough for India A by dismissing Di Livera, who edged the ball to Devdutt Padikkal at slip.
Weerasinghe batted through most of the morning session before Brar dismissed him just before lunch, with the left-hander edging the ball behind to captain and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. Following this, Nuwanidu Fernando (44) and Ashen Bandara (34) added 57 runs for the third wicket, further solidifying Sri Lanka A’s innings.
Team Changes and Player Performances
Jain broke the third-wicket stand by having Fernando caught by Padikkal, and Thakur then removed Ashen, who also edged behind to Jurel. Fast bowler Auqib Nabi, who made his India A debut in the previous match, finished with figures of 0 for 50 from 15 overs and did not trouble the Sri Lanka A openers with the new ball.
Brar, on the other hand, bowled with more pace and effectively used the short ball, though he ended with only one wicket. Ansari faced difficulties, bowling several loose deliveries that allowed the batters to score freely, and his leg-spin did not pose significant challenges to the Sri Lanka A batters.
Ahead of the second unofficial Test, there was anticipation of changes to the India A playing XI. Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar were expected to be included, with the team management aiming to provide opportunities to every squad member during the exposure tour. Brar, who recently made an impressive ODI debut against Afghanistan, was considered for inclusion as India’s senior team looks to develop its pace reserves for upcoming tours.
If Brar was included, Yash Thakur might have been rested. Similarly, Suthar, who achieved a 10-wicket haul in his Test debut against Afghanistan and had a successful county stint, was expected to lead the spin attack, potentially resting left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey. Other players, such as opener Aman Mokhade and leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, were also in contention for a place in the XI.
Ansari’s inclusion would likely have meant resting off-spinner Saransh Jain. Mokhade could have replaced Ayush Pandey, who did not score a half-century in the previous match. However, Pandey might have retained his spot if Sai Sudharsan, who retired hurt in the first unofficial Test and did not participate further, was deemed unfit.
The first four-day unofficial Test ended in a draw, with opener Sai Sudharsan and captain Dhruv Jurel scoring centuries. Auqib Nabi had a match-haul of five wickets, including four in the first innings of his debut. The current match saw Sri Lanka A score 288/5 on the first day.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
