Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit the fastest half-century in List A cricket history off 11 balls as India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs in the tri-series final at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on June 21, 2026.
India A posted 377 for 9 in 50 overs before bowling Sri Lanka A out for 311 in 47.1 overs to claim the series title.
Sooryavanshi’s 29-Ball 94 Blows Sri Lanka A Apart
Sooryavanshi walked in and immediately put Sri Lanka A’s bowlers under siege. He hit boundaries off each of his first five deliveries, reaching his fifty off 11 balls — the fastest half-century in List A cricket history. He went on to make 94 off just 29 balls, laced with ten fours and eight sixes, before holing out to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth at mid-off off the bowling of captain Sahan Arachchige in the ninth over.
By the time he was dismissed, India A had already raced to 132 runs in fewer than nine overs. The innings covered every corner of the ground — ramps over the wicketkeeper, pulls off short deliveries, and big hits over extra cover. A scythe over backward point for six off a wide yorker from Kugathas Mathulan stood out as a moment of pure audacity.
It was a performance that carried additional weight given the context. Sooryavanshi had been involved in a reported on-field altercation with Sri Lanka A players during a group stage match four days earlier, with talks of a fine and reprimand following. He entered the final under that cloud and let his batting settle the conversation.
India A’s Middle Order Steadies After Sooryavanshi’s Blitz
Following Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, India A’s innings lost momentum through the middle overs. Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad stitched together an 84-run third-wicket partnership to provide stability. Gaikwad made 40 off 51 balls, while Varma top-scored after Sooryavanshi with 67 off 90 balls before falling to Arachchige.
India A then lost three quick wickets and slipped to 334 for 8, putting a 400-plus total, which had looked possible during the powerplay, out of reach. Anukul Roy changed that with 39 off 15 balls, hitting four sixes, to push the total past 377. Vipraj Nigam chipped in with a 20-ball 27 to close the innings on a competitive note.
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India A Bowlers Dismantle Sri Lanka A Chase
Sri Lanka A’s reply never found a solid footing. Yash Thakur removed the top three, Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando, and Nuwanidu Fernando, inside ten overs to reduce the hosts to 75 for 3. Sadeera Samarawickrama offered brief resistance with 52 off 44 balls before debutant Ashok Sharma had him caught behind.
Wanuja Sahan top-scored for Sri Lanka A with 62 off 69 balls, and Viyaskanth added 39 to build a 77-run seventh-wicket stand that briefly threatened to drag the chase along. However, Roy broke the partnership with his left-arm spin, and Nigam finished with 3 for 60 to wrap up the tail.
Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 311, falling 66 runs short. India A won the 2026 Sri Lanka A-Team Tri Series (OD).
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