Sri Lanka ‘A’ batter Fernando hopes to cement national team berth through 50-over tri-series

Sri Lanka 'A' top-order batter Nuwanidu Fernando views the upcoming 50-over tri-series against India 'A' and Afghanistan 'A' as a prime opportunity to cement his national team berth, leaning on guidance from his international cricketer brother, Vishwa

New Delhi: Sri Lanka ‘A’ top-order batter Nuwanidu Fernando on Monday said he sees the upcoming 50-over tri-series against India ‘A’ and Afghanistan ‘A’ as a crucial opportunity to consolidate his position and work towards establishing himself as a regular in the national team.

The tri-series begins at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, with Sri Lanka ‘A’ taking on Tilak Varma-led India ‘A’. “In recent times, I have been batting well and the plan is to continue the same during this tri-series as well. I also consider the contests against India ‘A’ and Afghanistan ‘A’ as huge opportunities to excel as they are very good teams.

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“I see this as a chance to further enhance my position and continue going forward towards my goal of playing regularly in the national team,” Nuwanidu told IANS in an exclusive interview.

Fernando, younger brother of Sri Lanka pacer Vishwa Fernando, said his elder sibling has been one of the prime motivations and pillars of support in his cricketing journey. “I started playing cricket when I saw my elder brother Vishwas playing the game. Actually it’s due to him that I started going to play cricket. Vishwa has been supporting me very well, which is why I am at this position right now.

“As someone who plays in the Sri Lankan team, Vishwa continuously advises me on how to handle pressure and adjust to the situations etc. So he’s always there for me and one of the prime reasons for me playing cricket is my brother Vishwa,” he said.

On the playing conditions in Dambulla, Fernando said he expects uneven bounce and some turn, with weather also likely to play a role. “The Dambulla pitch has uneven bounce and also there is a bit of a turn as well. As per the current weather conditions, it may have an impact on the bowling.

“I basically expect to have a look at the conditions on the day of the game and based on that, adjust my playing style to suit the conditions on offer,” he said.

Fernando, who has played six ODIs and three T20Is for Sri Lanka and amassed 102 runs in total, was keen to build on his performance in the recent ‘A’ series at home against New Zealand – with 126 runs in three red-ball innings being the standout.

“The ‘A’ series against New Zealand was a good one for me and considering the team itself. I look to continue in the same vein in the ‘A’ teams tri-series. Yes, I did perform well for the national side, but that is now in the past.

“Now I need to once again start performing from this series, and play the way I have been playing and I will try to focus on making big in this particular series and focus on the future,” he said.

The St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa alumnus also spoke about how his height gives him a technical edge in playing against both pacers and spinners. “Owing to my height factor, it helps me to reach the ball and that’s an advantage for me.

“Also, when it comes to playing the spin, I am able to easily play both on the front foot and back foot. Even for the fast bowlers, when they bowl a bouncer, I am able to handle it with some ease, and bring in some smoothness in my playing style because of the height factor,” he said.

Asked about his broader cricketing ambitions, Fernando signed off by saying he is taking a focused, series-by-series approach. “I am taking it series by series and tour by tour. As of now, the target is to do well in this series. If I continue to do so, I will be able to get back into the national side.”

Watch India A-Team Tri Series 2026 (OD) – Sri Lanka A vs India A on June 9th 2026, from 10:00 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hind), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) and Sony LIV.