India A made a strong start to the Tri-Nation A Series 2026 after posting a competitive 277/6 against Sri Lanka A in the tournament opener at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. The innings for India A vs Sri Lanka A was headlined by a magnificent century from Ruturaj Gaikwad, who guided the visitors through a challenging phase after early wickets put the team under pressure.
The India A vs Sri Lanka A clash generated significant interest as several emerging Indian stars, including teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, took the field in a high-profile contest featuring future international prospects.
Early wickets put India A on the back foot
After electing to bat first, India A endured a shaky start. Wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh was dismissed for just two runs, leaving the visitors searching for stability.
Much attention was on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who recently impressed with his performances at various levels. However, the youngster could not convert his start into a substantial score and was dismissed for 14 runs off 12 balls.
Priyansh Arya attempted to rebuild the innings with an aggressive knock of 32 runs before being run out. At that stage, India A required a partnership to avoid slipping further, and that responsibility was taken up by Ruturaj Gaikwad and captain Tilak Varma.
Gaikwad and Tilak Varma steady the innings
The turning point of the India A vs Sri Lanka A encounter came through a composed partnership between Gaikwad and Tilak Varma.
Gaikwad displayed patience and control throughout his innings, reaching a well-crafted century. The right-hander scored 101 runs from 114 deliveries, striking six boundaries and three sixes while anchoring the innings from one end.
Tilak Varma complemented him perfectly, scoring 60 runs from 97 balls. The duo absorbed pressure during the middle overs before accelerating when opportunities emerged.
Their partnership transformed India’s position from uncertainty to dominance and laid the foundation for a challenging total.
Middle order adds finishing touches
After the departure of the set batters, the middle and lower order contributed in the closing overs as India A reached 277/6.
While Sri Lanka A managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals towards the end, India A still finished with a healthy 277/6 from their allotted 50 overs.
The total gives the bowling unit a strong platform to defend in the opening game of the tournament.
India A batting scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 2 | 11 |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | 14 | 12 |
| Priyansh Arya | 32 | 32 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 101 | 114 |
| Tilak Varma (c) | 60 | 97 |
| Ayush Badoni* | 24* | 18* |
| Suryansh Shedge* | 26* | 14* |
| India A Total | 277/6 | 50 Overs |
Key moments from the India A vs Sri Lanka A match
| Highlight | Details |
| Toss | India A opted to bat first |
| Highest scorer | Ruturaj Gaikwad (101) |
| Captain’s contribution | Tilak Varma (60) |
| Youngster in focus | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 14 |
| Team total | 277/6 in 50 overs |
| Venue | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium |
Strong platform for India A bowlers
A score approaching 280 could prove crucial on the Dambulla surface, where conditions often become more challenging for batters as the match progresses.
India A’s bowling attack will now look to capitalize on the pressure of a sizeable chase and begin the Tri-Nation A Series with a victory.
For Gaikwad, the century serves as another reminder of his consistency in domestic and representative cricket, while Tilak Varma’s leadership and calm presence in the middle order offered further positives for the team management. The India A vs Sri Lanka A opener has already provided encouraging signs for India’s emerging talent pool, with Gaikwad’s century standing out as the defining performance of the day.
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