Dambulla: A strong batting performance led by captain Tilak Varma and a brilliant four-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu helped India A secure a place in the final of the 50-over tri-series with a dominant 101-run victory over Afghanistan A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Half-centuries from Varma (59), Priyansh Arya and Kumar Kushagra (58 each) powered India A to a massive 319/9 in their 50 overs. In reply, Sindhu claimed 4-31 as Afghanistan A were bowled out for 218 in 36.5 overs.
Promoted to open the innings in the absence of Prabhsimran Singh, Arya grabbed the opportunity with both hands, smashing eight fours and a six in his 42-ball knock. He shared a rapid 75-run opening partnership in just eight overs with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 38 but failed to fully capitalise on the chances he received.
Arya’s dismissal by Farmanullah Safi ended his aggressive innings, but India A’s middle order continued to maintain the momentum. After Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for 30, Kushagra joined Varma and the pair built a crucial 104-run partnership.
Varma played a composed innings of 59 off 75 balls, while Kushagra contributed a quick 58 off 67 deliveries. Vipraj Nigam then added late momentum with a brisk 30 off 20 balls to push India A’s total beyond 310.
Afghanistan A started their chase positively through captain Imran Mir, who scored 32 off 27 balls, but they struggled to maintain the required pace under constant pressure from India A’s bowlers.
A promising 87-run partnership between Faisal Shinozada (46) and Bahir Shah (57) briefly revived Afghanistan A’s hopes. However, Anukul Roy dismissed Shinozada before Nigam removed Shah, causing the chase to lose momentum.
Sindhu, who had already removed captain Mir early, returned to clean up the lower order and complete an impressive bowling performance that sealed India A’s place in the final.
Brief Scores:
India A 319/9 in 50 overs (Tilak Varma 59, Priyansh Arya 58, Kumar Kushagra 58; Abdullah Ahmadzai 2-62, Farmanullah Safi 2-62) beat Afghanistan A 218 all out in 36.5 overs (Bahir Shah 57, Faisal Shinozada 46; Nishant Sindhu 4-31, Yash Thakur 2-48) by 101 runs.
With IANS inputs