Gurnoor Brar takes 10 wickets as India A thrash Sri Lanka A by 10 wickets in second unofficial Test
Pacer Gurnoor Brar dismantled Sri Lanka A with a stunning 10-wicket match haul, scripting a dominant 10-wicket victory for India A in Galle. Opening batter Sai Sudharsan set up the win with a masterclass knock of 168
Galle: Pacer Gurnoor Brar made a roaring case for an international Test debut in Sri Lanka next month, picking up a magnificent match haul of 10 wickets to power India A to a resounding 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A in the second and final unofficial Test here on Sunday.
The win sealed a successful tour for the visitors, who had previously clinched the preceding tri-series in Dambulla. Following a draw in the series opener, this comprehensive victory at Galle wrapped up the multi-day leg in style.
Sudharsan Sets Up Huge Lead:
On the back of opening batter Sai Sudharsan’s masterful 168, India A racked up a daunting first-innings total of 543, claiming a commanding 177-run lead over the hosts. India A resumed the final morning at 541 for eight before their innings wrapped up at 543 for nine after 143.3 overs. Along with Sudharsan, Test regulars Devdutt Padikkal (94) and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (53) secured valuable game time on the island ahead of the senior team’s upcoming tour.
Brar Destroys Sri Lanka A:
The match accelerated rapidly on the fourth and final day. Brar, the towering Punjab speedster, dismantled the Sri Lanka A batting lineup with a fierce spell of six for 68 in the second innings, building on his sharp four-wicket display in the first.
Aside from middle-order batter Ashen Bandara, who fought a lonely battle with a resilient 87, the home team collapsed around him. Sri Lanka A were bundled out for a meager 209 runs in 48.3 overs. In stark contrast, seam bowler Aquib Nabi—another fringe contender vying for a spot in the senior squad—paled in comparison to Brar’s incisive spells.
Comfortable Run Chase:
Left with a nominal target of 33 runs for victory, India A needed just 6.2 overs to cross the finish line. Sudharsan and fellow opener Aman Mokhade comfortably knocked off the runs to complete the 10-wicket victory.
Brar had already turned heads during his senior international limited-overs debut in the ODI series against Afghanistan last month. While he was included in the subsequent Test squad, he did not feature in the playing XI. This dominant performance keeps him squarely in the sights of the national selectors, with the first senior Test between India and Sri Lanka scheduled to begin right here at the Galle International Stadium on August 15, followed by the second match at the SSC in Colombo on August 23.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka A: 366 and 209 all out in 48.3 overs (Ashen Bandara 87; Gurnoor Brar 6/68)
India A: 543/9 dec in 143.3 overs (Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94, Dhruv Jurel 53) and 36/0 in 6.2 overs.
Result: India A won by 10 wickets.
