India A kicked off their tri-series campaign with a thrilling eight-run victory over Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on Tuesday, successfully defending a total of 277 in a closely contested encounter. Despite appearing to be on the verge of defeat for much of the chase, India A's bowlers produced a spirited comeback in the closing stages to bowl out the hosts for 269 and secure a hard-fought win.

After being asked to bat, India A posted 277 runs on the board, with Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad playing a key role in the innings. The visitors looked set for a competitive total thanks to valuable contributions from the middle order, although young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi failed to make a significant impact. The highly rated batter scored 14 runs from 12 deliveries before being dismissed after a brief but aggressive start.

Sri Lanka A began their chase confidently through openers Niroshan Dickwella and Avishka Fernando, who put together a strong 93-run partnership for the first wicket. Their fluent stand placed India A under pressure and provided the hosts with the perfect platform to chase down the target. With wickets in hand and the run rate under control, Sri Lanka A appeared firmly in command during the early stages of the innings.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Dismissed in Fourth Over for 14 by Mohamed Shiraz in Tri-Series Opener

Following the dismissal of the openers, captain Sahan Arachchige anchored the chase with a composed and responsible innings. Rotating the strike effectively and finding boundaries when required, he kept Sri Lanka A on course for victory. At one stage, the hosts seemed favourites to complete the chase comfortably, leaving India Searching for breakthroughs and momentum.

The match turned dramatically in the final phase as India A's bowlers tightened their grip on proceedings. Arshad Khan emerged as one of the key performers with the ball, helping trigger a collapse that shifted the contest in the visitors' favor. Consistent pressure, disciplined bowling, and timely wickets prevented Sri Lanka A from capitalizing on their strong position.

India A eventually dismissed Sri Lanka A for 269, sealing an eight-run victory and earning a valuable start to the tri-series. The result showcased the team's resilience and ability to fight back under pressure. While Gaikwad's leadership and batting contribution provided the foundation, it was the bowling unit's determined effort in the closing overs that proved decisive in securing the opening-match win.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Dismissed in Fourth Over for 14 by Mohamed Shiraz in Tri-Series Opener