Sai Sudharsan hits 168 as India A take command against Sri Lanka A on Day 3

Sai Sudharsan’s brilliant 168 and vital half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel and Saransh Jain propelled India A to a dominant 541/8 on Day 3 against Sri Lanka A. The visitors now hold a commanding 175-run lead in Galle

Galle: Sai Sudharsan’s fluent 168 and an excellent effort from the middle and lower-order batters helped India A reach a commanding 541 for eight by the end of a rain-affected Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A here on Saturday.

India A now lead by 175 runs with a day left in the match.

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Sudharsan, who started the day on 104, marched on to complete a massive hundred (168, 267b, 22×4) after Devdutt Padikkal departed without adding to his overnight score of 94.

Padikkal’s first-over dismissal left India A at 248 for two, but Sudharsan found an able ally in skipper Dhruv Jurel (53, 88b).

Gaikwad retires hurt
Before Sudharsan and Jurel joined forces, India A endured a scare when Ruturaj Gaikwad (13) had to return to the pavilion after copping a blow to his helmet from pacer Asanka Manoj.

However, India A overcame that moment of worry through the two skillful campaigners, though it remains to be seen whether Gaikwad can return to bat on Sunday.

Sudharsan and Jurel added 120 runs for the third wicket to deny the home side another breakthrough as India A extended their dominance.

A double hundred was there for the taking, but Sudharsan was trapped in front of the wicket by left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera.

Jurel too did not last long; the wicketkeeper-batter fell leg before to Sudeera. Shaik Rasheed then made a brisk 45 off 51 balls before falling to the LBW trap of off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha.

India A were at 454 for five then, ahead by 84 runs, with the visitors needing to stretch their lead further.

Saransh Jain (68 batting) and Auqib Nabi (30) stitched an 81-run alliance for the sixth wicket to do just that, after rain halted play for nearly an hour after tea.

Nabi fell to part-time spinner Sahan Arachchige at the fag end of the day, caught in the deep by Manoj, but India A had already moved comfortably ahead.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka A: 366 all out vs India A: 541/8 in 142 overs (Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94, Dhruv Jurel 53, Saransh Jain 68 batting; Keshara Nuwantha 4/158, Dilum Sudeera 3/101).