India A vs Sri Lanka A 2026: Ruturaj Gaikwad Century Powers India A to Thrilling Win in Tri-Series Opener

India A Start Tri-Series Campaign with Thrilling Victory Over Sri Lanka A

India A kicked off their Tri Nation A Series in Sri Lanka 2026 campaign with a thrilling 8-run victory over Sri Lanka A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. In a match filled with young talent, pressure moments, and standout performances, it was Ruturaj Gaikwad’s brilliant century that became the defining factor of the game.

The match was hosted at the iconic Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka, while fans in India were able to watch the action live on the Sony Sports Network.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Leads from the Front with Stunning Century

After winning the toss, India A captain Tilak Varma chose to bat first on a batting-friendly Dambulla surface. The start wasn’t ideal as both Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh departed early, putting pressure on the middle order.

However, Ruturaj Gaikwad produced a captain’s knock despite not leading the side, scoring a magnificent 101 off 114 balls. His innings included elegant strokeplay, smart rotation, and timely boundaries that stabilized India A’s innings beautifully.

Highlighted Performance:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad – 101 runs
• Tilak Varma – 60 runs
• Suryansh Shedge – 26 off 14 balls*

Tilak Varma also played a calm supporting innings with a composed 60-run knock, while Suryansh Shedge’s explosive finish helped India A post a competitive 277/6 in 50 overs.

Sri Lanka A Fight Hard but India Hold Nerve

Sri Lanka A responded strongly during the chase with aggressive batting from Niroshan Dickwella and Avishka Fernando, who gave the hosts a solid start.

The biggest challenge for India A came from Sri Lankan captain Sahan Arachchige, who smashed an impressive 74 off 72 balls and kept the chase alive till the final overs.

But India A bowlers delivered under pressure.

Thrilling Win for India A against Sri Lanka.

Watch ball-by-ball Highlights ????pic.twitter.com/aNTfa2HKGP

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) June 9, 2026

Key Bowling Highlights:

• Ayush Badoni – 2 wickets
• Vipraj Nigam – 2 wickets
• Anukul Roy – 2 wickets
• Arshad Khan – crucial late wickets

India A managed to dismiss Sri Lanka A for 269 in 48.5 overs, sealing a tense victory by just 8 runs.

Young Talents Impress in High-Pressure Match

One of the major talking points from the match was the performance of India’s emerging stars. Youngsters like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Vipraj Nigam, and Suryansh Shedge gained valuable overseas experience in difficult conditions.

Although Vaibhav Sooryavanshi managed only 14 runs, fans were excited to see the young sensation representing India A on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Tilak Varma’s calm leadership and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maturity with the bat showed the depth of India’s future white-ball talent pool.

Where Was the Match Streamed and Hosted?

Venue:

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Live Telecast & Streaming:

Sony Sports Network
Sony LIV (Streaming Platform)

India A Send Strong Early Statement

With this win, India A have made a powerful start to the Tri Nation A Series 2026. The team displayed excellent balance between experienced domestic stars and exciting young talent.

If players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, and Vipraj Nigam continue their strong form, India A could become serious favourites to lift the trophy in Sri Lanka.