Skipper Sahan Arachchige’s unbeaten 83 guided Sri Lanka ‘A’ to a strong position at 288/5 on the first day of the second four-day game against India ‘A’. Indian bowlers Yash Thakur and Saransh Jain impressed with two wickets each.
India ‘A’ made strategic changes to their lineup, bringing in Aman Mokhade, Zeeshan Ansari, and Gurnoor Brar. B Sai Sudharsan, who was injured in the previous game, returned for this match.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ chose to bat first and had a solid start from openers Weerasinghe and de Livera. Thakur broke the partnership by dismissing de Livera for 28. Weerasinghe fell for 39, with Brar taking the crucial wicket just before lunch.
Nuwanidu Fernando’s aggressive 44 and partnerships with Ashen Bandara were highlights, but both failed to convert good starts. Arachchige’s unbeaten half-century and Anjala Bandara’s support frustrated the Indian bowlers.
Arachchige’s resilient innings led Sri Lanka ‘A’ to 288/5 by stumps, with India ‘A’ managing to break key partnerships but unable to dislodge the captain.
