India A Dominate Sri Lanka A as Auqib Nabi’s Four-Wicket Haul Secures 170-Run Overall Lead

Galle, June 2026 : India A tightened their grip on the opening unofficial four-day match against Sri Lanka A with an outstanding all-round performance, led by pacer Auqib Nabi Dar’s impressive four-wicket haul, to secure a commanding 122-run first-innings lead on the third day in Galle on Saturday.

After posting a formidable 452 for 6 declared in their first innings, India A bundled out Sri Lanka A for 330 despite determined resistance from Nuwanidu Fernando, skipper Sahan Arachchige and Ashen Bandara. By the close of play, the visitors had stretched their overall lead to 170 runs, reaching 48 without loss in their second innings.

Sai Sudharsan, who had starred with a century in the first innings, opened the batting once again but retired hurt after scoring seven. His departure, however, did little to affect India’s momentum as Devdutt Padikkal (20 not out) and Ayush Pandey (20 not out) safely negotiated the remaining overs to keep the visitors firmly in control heading into the final day.

Resuming from their overnight score of 113 for 2, Sri Lanka A displayed greater resolve in the morning session. Nuwanidu Fernando and Ashen Bandara frustrated the Indian bowlers with a well-constructed 105-run stand for the third wicket. Both batters mixed caution with aggression, gradually reducing the deficit while rotating the strike effectively.

Nuwanidu looked set for a deserving century before seamer Yash Thakur provided India A with a much-needed breakthrough, dismissing him for 84, just 16 runs short of the milestone.

Captain Sahan Arachchige then joined Bandara at the crease and continued the recovery. The skipper adopted an attacking approach, particularly against the spinners, confidently clearing the boundary on multiple occasions. His positive strokeplay ensured Sri Lanka A went into lunch comfortably placed at 204 for 3.

Following a brief weather interruption in the afternoon, the hosts resumed confidently. Arachchige completed his half-century in emphatic fashion with two towering sixes off left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, while Bandara brought up the pair’s 117-run partnership with a boundary off Thakur.

Just when Sri Lanka A appeared capable of significantly reducing the deficit, India’s spinners sparked a dramatic turnaround. Off-spinner Saransh Jain broke the dangerous partnership by dismissing Bandara for a well-made 70, with Padikkal holding an excellent catch in the field.

Dubey then struck another decisive blow by removing captain Arachchige for 72, once again with Padikkal completing a sharp catch to leave Sri Lanka A vulnerable.

A brief counter-attack from Ravindu Fernando and Anjala Bandara carried the hosts beyond the 300-run mark, but the resistance proved short-lived. Auqib Nabi returned to produce a decisive spell before tea, removing two lower-order batters in successive overs to reduce Sri Lanka A to 315 for 7.

The Indian pacer continued his fine work after the interval. While Chamika Gunasekara and Dilum Sudeera delayed the inevitable with a stubborn last-wicket effort, Nabi struck again by dismissing Gunasekara and Dulaj Samudhita off consecutive deliveries to wrap up the innings. He finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 58, emerging as India’s most successful bowler and providing a timely reminder of his abilities ahead of India’s two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka scheduled for August.

With a sizeable overall lead, an unbeaten opening stand in the second innings and an in-form bowling attack, India A enter the fourth and final day in a commanding position, well placed to press for victory in the opening match of the series.

Brief Scores:

India A: 452/6 declared and 48/0 in 17 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 20 not out, Ayush Pandey 20 not out; Sai Sudharsan retired hurt 7).

Sri Lanka A: 330 all out in 101.4 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 84, Sahan Arachchige 72, Ashen Bandara 70; Auqib Nabi Dar 4/58, Harsh Dubey 2 wickets, Saransh Jain 1 wicket, Yash Thakur 1 wicket).

Match Situation: India A lead by 170 runs with all 10 second-innings wickets in hand.