Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive 29-ball 94 powered India A to three-series title

India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (SLC via PTI Photo) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a breathtaking exhibition of power-hitting to lead India A to an impressive 66-run victory over Sri Lanka A in the tri-series final on Sunday.The teenage sensation smashed 94 off just 29 deliveries to produce one of the most devastating innings seen in List A cricket. His explosive knock helped India A pile up 377 for nine before restricting Sri Lanka A to 311 in reply.While pacer Yash Thakur returned figures of 3/45 and spinner Vipraj Nigam claimed 3/60, the contest was largely shaped by Sooryavanshi’s remarkable foray at the top of the order.Sri Lanka A faced a daunting chase from the start and needed both a strong start and consistent partnerships to stay in contention. Instead, their innings stumbled early as Niroshan Dickwella, Aviska Fernando and Nuwanidu Fernando were all dismissed with just 75 runs on the board in the first 10 overs.The hosts tried to rebuild with a 53-run stand for the fourth wicket between Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 52, and skipper Sahan Arachchige, who contributed 38. Later, Wanuj Sahan hit 62 and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (39) shared a 77-run partnership for the seventh wicket.However, that effort was never enough against a goal that required relentless scoring in more than eight raids per replay. Sri Lanka A eventually crossed the 300-run mark but never seriously threatened India’s total.Earlier, India A’s innings was dominated by Sooryavanshi, who bounced back from a relatively quiet tournament in spectacular fashion after being asked to bat first.The 15-year-old from Samastipur in Bihar came out with attacking intent and immediately put the Sri Lankan bowlers under immense pressure. He rewrote the record books by reaching his half-century in just 11 balls, breaking the previous List A record set by Kaushalya Weeraratne of Sri Lanka, who took 12 deliveries to bring up his fifty in 2005.His first 11 scoring runs produced a staggering 50 runs. The sequence was 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6 as he launched into the bowling attack from the very start. The milestone arrived over back-to-back sixes straight down the ground off pacer Dulaj Samudith.Sooryavanshi mixed brute force with excellent timing during his stay. Initially targeting the leg side against the seamers, he later extended his range to the off side after Sri Lanka A adjusted their fielding. Even well-executed deliveries disappeared into the stands as he continued to attack.Notable features of the innings included his lofted drives over extra cover. Three easy sixes in that area highlighted the exceptional bat speed, poise and confidence that has quickly made him one of India’s most exciting young prospects.Along with Priyansh Arya who scored 39, Sooryavanshi put on 132 runs for the opening wicket and appeared on the field to register the fastest century in List A cricket.The fireworks finally ended in the ninth over when spinner Sahan Arachchige induced a catch at mid-off. Arya departed in the next over, giving Sri Lanka A a glimmer of hope.Ruturaj Gaikwad then made 40 to add 63 runs alongside skipper Tilak Varma for the third wicket. Tilak anchored the innings with a measured 67 off 90 balls as the scoring rate slowed briefly.India A lost wickets at regular intervals as they tried to build momentum towards the end, but late cameos from Anukul Roy, who smashed 39 off 15 balls, and Vipraj Nigam, who hit 27 off 20 deliveries, saw the total rise above 350.In the end, however, the final belonged to Sooryavanshi, whose extraordinary innings laid the platform for a comprehensive triumph and another reminder of his immense potential.