Sudharsan's 132 puts India A in command vs Sri Lanka A at Galle
Synopsis
B Sai Sudharsan's fluent 132 — his second first-class century of the season — headlined a commanding Day 1 for India A at Galle. With Dhruv Jurel and Shaik Rasheed unbeaten in a 116-run stand, India A have 333 on the board with six wickets in hand. Sri Lanka A's 13 no-balls only made a difficult day harder.
Key Takeaways
B Sai Sudharsan scored 132 off 175 balls , hitting 19 boundaries , to anchor India A's innings on Day 1 at Galle .
India A closed the day at 333/4 in 86 overs , firmly in control of the first unofficial Test.
Skipper Dhruv Jurel (68 not out) and Shaik Rasheed (53 not out) shared an unbroken 116-run fifth-wicket stand .
Dilum Sudeera was Sri Lanka A's best bowler with 2-98 in 29 overs ; Chamika Gunasekara dismissed Sudharsan.
Sri Lanka A conceded 21 extras , including 13 no-balls , compounding their woes on a tough opening day.
B Sai Sudharsan struck a commanding 132 off 175 balls on 25 June, anchoring India A to a strong 333/4 in 86 overs on Day 1 of the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A at the Galle International Stadium. Half-centuries from skipper Dhruv Jurel and Shaik Rasheed further consolidated India A's grip on proceedings, leaving the tourists firmly in the driver's seat.
Sudharsan Anchors a Dominant Opening Day
Electing to bat first, India A were in control from the very first session. Sudharsan, the left-handed opener, was the centrepiece of the innings — crafting a fluent knock laced with 19 boundaries before eventually being dismissed by medium-pacer Chamika Gunasekara with the score at 217/4. He had earlier put on an 82-run opening stand with Aayush Pandey (25), setting a solid platform.
Middle-Order Wobble Checked by Jurel and Rasheed
Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera provided Sri Lanka A's first breakthrough in the 23rd over, removing Pandey and triggering a brief middle-order wobble. Devdutt Padikkal (12) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (22) were both trapped lbw, leaving India A at a precarious 181/3 in 45.1 overs. However, any hopes of a Sri Lanka A resurgence were quickly extinguished.
Jurel and Rasheed combined for an unbroken 116-run fifth-wicket partnership through the final session, completely shutting out the hosts. Jurel batted with composure to finish the day on 68 not out off 138 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Rasheed contributed a measured 53 not out off 92 deliveries, striking four boundaries.
Sri Lanka A Bowlers Struggle, Extras Compound Woes
Sudeera was the pick of Sri Lanka A's attack, returning figures of 2-98 in 29 overs in a marathon spell. Gunasekara and Ravindu Fernando claimed one wicket apiece. However, Sri Lanka A's discipline was undermined by 21 extras — including a costly 13 no-balls — which gifted India A additional runs at a critical juncture.
What to Watch on Day 2
India A will look to Jurel and Rasheed to extend their partnership early on Day 2 and push the total past 400, putting the match beyond Sri Lanka A's reach. The unofficial Test at Galle is a key audition for fringe players eyeing national selection, making every session's performance closely watched by selectors back home.
Brief Scores: India A 333/4 in 86 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 132, Dhruv Jurel 68 not out, Shaik Rasheed 53 not out; Dilum Sudeera 2-98, Chamika Gunasekara 1-50) vs Sri Lanka A.
Point of View
Historically spin-friendly, is a demanding examination, and a 132 here carries genuine weight. What is equally telling is the lower-order maturity from Jurel and Rasheed; India A's depth is looking sharper than it has in recent cycles. Sri Lanka A's 13 no-balls, meanwhile, reflect a discipline problem that will cost them dearly if the pitch turns on Days 3 and 4.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Day 1 of the India A vs Sri Lanka A unofficial Test in Galle?
India A posted 333/4 in 86 overs on Day 1 at the Galle International Stadium on 25 June, led by B Sai Sudharsan's 132 and an unbroken 116-run fifth-wicket stand between Dhruv Jurel (68 not out) and Shaik Rasheed (53 not out). Sri Lanka A's bowlers struggled for control, conceding 21 extras including 13 no-balls.
How did B Sai Sudharsan perform in the Galle unofficial Test?
Sudharsan scored 132 off 175 balls, hitting 19 boundaries, opening the batting and anchoring India A's innings before being dismissed by Chamika Gunasekara with the score at 217/4. It was a composed, fluent knock that set the tone for the day.
Who were the top performers for India A on Day 1?
B Sai Sudharsan (132), Dhruv Jurel (68 not out off 138 balls), and Shaik Rasheed (53 not out off 92 balls) were the standout contributors. Aayush Pandey also added 25 in an 82-run opening stand with Sudharsan.
Which Sri Lanka A bowler was most effective on Day 1?
Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera was the pick of the Sri Lanka A bowlers, taking 2-98 in a marathon 29-over spell. Chamika Gunasekara and Ravindu Fernando each claimed one wicket.
Why do these unofficial Tests matter for Indian cricket?
Unofficial Tests serve as a key selection audition for players on the fringes of the senior India squad. Performances in these matches are closely monitored by the national selectors, making every innings significant for players like Sudharsan, Jurel, and Rasheed who are pushing for senior recognition.
