India A vs Sri Lanka A, Day 1 Highlights: India A 333/4 at stumps after determined contributions from Sudharsan and Jurel

That is all from our end from day one of the India A vs Sri Lanka A first unofficial Test at Galle. The action will resume at 10:00 AM local time. Until then, goodbye!

India A put up 333/4 on the scoreboard after 86 overs as the umpire called for stumps on day one. Dhruv Jurel and Shaik Rasheed were clinical for the side, putting up a 116(198) partnership to anchor the Men in Blue’s innings.

Skipper Jurel struck 68*, while Rasheed put up 53* and would return to bat on day two at Galle.

For Sri Lanka, Dilum Sudeera claimed two wickets, while Chamila Gunasekara and Ravindu Fernando picked a wicket each.

IND A 328/4 (85) India A continue firmly with Jurel and Rasheed frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers as the third session continues. Jurel also struck a boundary in the 85th over, while Shaik Rasheed completed his half-century with a single in the over before.

IND A: 315/4 (80) Sri Lanka A’s woes continue as India A put up 300+ runs on the scoreboard, with Jurel and Rasheed remaining unbeaten at 57 and 48 runs, respectively. The duo developed a 98-run stand off 162 deliveries, further frustrating the hosts’ bowlers at Galle.

India are firmly in momentum, and Sri Lanka desperately need a wicket to close the day on a high note.

IND A: 285/4 (71) India A have once again picked up momentum as Dhruv Jurel and Ravindu Fernando put up a solid run stand, scoring over 70 runs. The skipper is also closing in on his half-century, while Rasheed also delivers a clinical effort as they continue to bat in the third session of day one.

This is impactful batting by Dhruv Jurel and Shaik Rasheed. The partnership is now worth 38 in 60 balls. So even if India lost some quick wickets, they have not allowed the pressure to build. Kavindu Pathiratne and Dilum Sudeera are bowling for Sri Lanka. IND A 255/4 (63).

IND A: 223/4 (56) Following Sudharsan’s dismissal, Shaik Rasheed walks in to join Jurel at the crease. The 54th over from Sudeera is a maiden, with Jurel showing caution and refusing to take risks.

Rasheed gets off the mark in the very next over, nudging a single off Gunasekara. Since the big wicket, India A’s scoring has slowed considerably. Jurel and Rasheed focus on rotating the strike and picking up singles, while Sri Lanka A looks for an opening to tighten the screws.

The wicket which Sri Lanka A had been desperately eyeing has now fallen! Sai Sudharsan is caught out by Dulaj Samuditha, ending the Indian opener’s stay on the crease. A clinical knock of 132 runs helped India secure major momentum in the game, but Gunasekara dismisses the batter.

Sai Sudharsan 132(175) c Dulaj Samuditha b C Gunasekara 

IND A: 217/4 (53)

IND A: 214/3 (52) Sai Sudharsan is bringing some intensity against Chamika Gunasekara in the 51st over, scoring two boundaries and punching runs on the scoreboard. Dhruv Jurel is still settling in and is focusing on running between wickets.

Session three is officially underway after a tea break, and India A would look to seize control by putting up runs on the scoreboard. The Men in Blue possess proper batting power in the middle, with opener Sai Sudharsan being in the middle alongside skipper Dhruv Jurel.

Sri Lanka A would aim for more breakthroughs at this stage.

IND A: 199/3 (49) Sai Sudharsan put up a valiant fight against Sri Lanka A’s bowling attack, scoring an unbeaten 121 off 161 deliveries. Skipper Dhruv Jurel put up 10 off 16 balls, smashing a boundary in the process to take India’s score to 199.

Sri Lanka A claimed a breakthrough in session two, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad. But India remains firm with the bat as tea break is taken.

Ravindu Fernando delivered what Sri Lanka A desperately needed as he trapped Ruturaj Gaikwad in an LBW! A steady partnership came to an end as Gaikwad walked back.

Ruturaj Gaikwad 22(53) lbw b Ravindu Fernando 

IND A: 180/2 (44) Sai Sudharsan continued with similar intent against Ravindu Fernando by scoring a boundary in the first ball of the 42nd over. The India A batters’ composed batting would only frustrate the Sri Lanka A bowlers, who would be desperate to take a wicket at this stage.

Gaikwad puts up 22 of 52 deliveries, emphasising poise over risks.

IND A: 169/2 (41) Hundred for Sai Sudharsan! He brings it up in style with a boundary off Samudhita in the 39th over. A patient knock that lifted India A’s innings. Gaikwad at the other end has played the perfect supporting role, rotating the strike and keeping the stand alive.

After 40 overs, Sri Lanka A is still searching for answers, their only success being the two wickets earlier. India is firmly in control now.

IND A 148/2 (37) Sudharsan and Gaikwad continue to frustrate the Sri Lanka A bowlers and look calm, composed, and steadily building this stand. The 35th over passed quietly, but Gaikwad broke the shackles with a crisp boundary off Gunasekara, showing intent.

Two overs later, Sudharsan joined in, punching a four to edge closer to the 90s. The Indian pair looks solid, while the Lankan attack searches desperately for a breakthrough.

IND A 134/2 (34) Sudharsan and Gaikwad are building this stand with patience, with no rash strokes, and only smart running between the wickets to keep the scoreboard ticking. Sudharsan brings up his 80, a clinical knock marked by composure and well-timed hits.

At the other end, Gaikwad is settling in nicely, refusing to take risks against Sudeera and Gunasekara, who continue probing but haven’t found a way through yet. India A holding firm here in Galle.

IND A: 123/2 (31) Sai Sudharsan is attempting to fight back, while Ruturaj Gaikwad is settling in against Sri Lanka A as the second session continues at Galle. The Indian opener is picking up some boundaries in the process, showcasing determination and intent to rebuild another partnership.

Sri Lanka A seized momentum at the start of the second session, striking twice to dismantle India A’s top order. With two wickets in quick succession, the hosts now look to press home their advantage and keep the pressure on.

IND A: 110/2 (28) Opener Sai Sudharsan is taking a careful approach, and Ruturaj Gaikwad follows a similar style, following two key breakthroughs. India A have put up 100 runs, but Sri Lanka A would be content after claiming two dismissals.

India A is now focusing on developing partnerships, with Gaikwad and Sudharsan look to bat deep while the Lankan bowling attack vie for more breakthroughs.

Devdutt Padikkal walks in for India A following the lunch break after Ayush’s dismissal, with India A hoping to regain momentum. Padikkal and Sudharsan start nicely with the No. 3 batter getting a boundary in the 24th over.

Padikkal tried to bring some aggression, smashing a six against Dilum Sadeera in the 25th over. But the Sri Lankan bowler has the last laugh, trapping the batter for an LBW.

Devdutt Padikkal 12(7) lbw b Dilum Sudeera 

India A: 96/2 (25)

Dilum Sudeera claims the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka A! India A’s opening partnership is finally broken with the dismissal of Ayush Pandey, who was caught out. Fernando completes the catch, and Ayush has to walk back.

The fall of wickets brings up the lunch break.

India A: 82/1 (23)

Ayush Pandey 25(64) c Ravindu Fernando b Dilum Sudeera

India A score 80/0 in 22 overs on day one of the first unofficial Test, with Sai Sudharsan scoring a half-century in the first ball of the over against Ravindu Fernando. The Indian openers spring for a double, with Sudharsan reaching the 50-run mark as India’s opening stand continues to get stronger.

India A score 76/0 in 20 overs on day one of the first unofficial Test, with Sudharsan closing in on his half-century at 48*. The opening stand continues to bat deep, with Sri Lanka attempting to break the partnership.

Sudharsan has been in proper batting flow, scoring timely boundaries as he closes in on a fifty. Ayush Pandey also bats firmly, putting up 23* off 57 deliveries and securing three boundaries.

India A have developed a stronghold in the first session of day one and has been scoring runs decently.

India A put up 51/0 in 15 overs on day one of the first unofficial test. Openers Sai Sudharsan and Ayush Pandey accumulate runs patiently and punctuate their stand with timely boundaries. Sri Lanka brought in Ravindu Fernando, the right-arm off-break bowler, to exploit the spin-friendly conditions.

The Indian openers remain steady, but Sudharsan broke free in the 15th over, scoring consecutive boundaries against Gunasekara, punching crucial runs on the scoreboard as the first session continues.

India A put up  39/0 in 11 overs in the first unofficial Test. Sai Sudharsan struck consecutive boundaries against C Gunasekara in the over, picking up eight runs as the first session continues.

In the 10th over, only one run was conceded. Openers Sudharsan and Pandey are being cautious with their approach while also breaking free and scoring some boundaries.

India A had won the toss, and skipper Dhruv Jurel opted to bat first in Galle. Sai Sudharsan and Ayush Pandey are at the crease.

India A clinched the one-day tri-nation series title in Dambulla with a commanding 66-run victory over Sri Lanka A. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a record-breaking knock, smashing 94 off just 29 deliveries and scoring the fastest List A half-century off 11 balls.

India put up a mammoth 377/9 on the scoreboard.

Sri Lanka A fought back valiantly, showing flashes of brilliance with their intent and aggression. But India A bowlers struck back on time, bowling them out for 311 runs.

Check out the playing XIs of India A and Sri Lanka A for the first unofficial Test match at Galle.

India A Playing XI: Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel(w/c), Shaik Rasheed, Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Auqib Nabi Dar.

India A score 23/0 in 7 overs at the first unofficial test. Openers, Ayush Pandey and Sai Sudharsan, started decently, getting three maiden overs to settle in and then begin some running between wickets for a few overs. The openers also struck some boundaries in overs five and six, gradually increasing the pace.