Sai Sudharsan's 168 powers India A to 175-run lead vs Sri Lanka A
Synopsis
Sai Sudharsan's career-best 168 — built across two days of supreme concentration — has flipped the second unofficial Test on its head. India A's 175-run first-innings lead in Galle puts them in commanding position to push for an outright win, with Saransh Jain's unbeaten 68 ensuring even the lower order made the hosts pay.
Key Takeaways
B Sai Sudharsan scored a career-best 168 off 267 balls , including 22 boundaries , resuming from an overnight 104 not out .
India A posted 541/8 in 142 overs , taking a 175-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka A's 366 .
Devdutt Padikkal (94) and Dhruv Jurel (53) provided strong support; Ruturaj Gaikwad retired hurt on 13 .
Keshara Nuwantha was Sri Lanka A's best bowler with 4 for 158 from 50 overs .
Saransh Jain (68*) and Auqib Nabi Dar (30) added an 81-run ninth-wicket stand to push India A past 500 .
B Sai Sudharsan crafted a magnificent 168 off 267 balls to anchor India A to 541/8 in 142 overs on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in Galle on 4 July, handing the visitors a commanding 175-run first-innings lead. The left-handed batter, resuming from an overnight 104 not out, produced a career-best score in India A colours, laced with 22 boundaries.
Sudharsan's Dominant Knock
Sudharsan's innings was a study in controlled aggression. He negotiated a challenging Sri Lankan bowling attack across two days, building partnerships at crucial junctures to keep India A firmly in the driver's seat. His dismissal — finally engineered by left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera — came only after he had transformed the contest entirely in India A's favour.
Sudeera also trapped captain-wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel lbw for a well-made 53 off 88 balls, which included six boundaries. Shaik Rasheed chipped in with a brisk 45 off 51 balls, hitting five boundaries.
Mixed Morning for India A
The day began with setbacks for the visitors. Devdutt Padikkal, who had looked in fine touch overnight, departed without adding to his score of 94. Ruturaj Gaikwad was forced to retire hurt on 13, leaving India A's middle order to shoulder the burden — a challenge they met with composure.
Sri Lanka A's Bowling Figures
Medium-pacer Keshara Nuwantha was the pick of the Sri Lanka A bowlers, returning figures of 4 for 158 from a gruelling 50 overs, claiming the wickets of Padikkal, Rasheed, and Gurnoor Brar. Sudeera finished with 3 for 101. Skipper Sahan Arachchige chipped in with a late breakthrough.
Lower Order Capitalises
Saransh Jain made the most of a tired bowling attack, striking an unbeaten 68 and adding an invaluable 81-run ninth-wicket stand with Auqib Nabi Dar (30) to push India A past the 500-run mark. The partnership underlined the depth in India A's batting lineup and ensured Sri Lanka A faced an imposing deficit heading into the final stages of the match.
What Happens Next
With a 175-run lead and two wickets still in hand at stumps, India A are well-placed to enforce a follow-on or declare early on Day 4 and press for an outright result. Sri Lanka A will need a remarkable batting effort to save the game in Galle.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka A 366 trail India A 541/8 in 142 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 168, Devdutt Padikkal 94; Keshara Nuwantha 4-158, Dilum Sudeera 3-101) by 175 runs.
Point of View
But for the temperament. Coming in under pressure with India A needing a big total to assert dominance, he batted across two days against a disciplined Sri Lankan attack on a Galle surface that rarely gifts anything. What stands out is the lower-order contribution: Jain's unbeaten 68 and the 81-run ninth-wicket stand suggest India A's squad depth is genuine, not cosmetic. The real question heading into Day 4 is whether the management opts for a declaration or presses for maximum batting points — either way, Sri Lanka A face a mountain.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did Sai Sudharsan make against Sri Lanka A in Galle?
Sai Sudharsan scored 168 off 267 balls, his career-best in India A colours, hitting 22 boundaries. He resumed Day 3 on an overnight 104 not out and was finally dismissed by left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera.
What is India A's first-innings lead over Sri Lanka A?
India A lead by 175 runs after posting 541/8 in 142 overs in response to Sri Lanka A's first-innings total of 366 in the second unofficial Test in Galle.
Who were the top performers for India A besides Sudharsan?
Devdutt Padikkal contributed 94 before departing without adding to his overnight score. Dhruv Jurel made 53 off 88 balls, Shaik Rasheed hit 45 off 51 balls, and Saransh Jain remained unbeaten on 68, sharing an 81-run ninth-wicket stand with Auqib Nabi Dar (30).
Which Sri Lanka A bowler took the most wickets?
Keshara Nuwantha was the most successful Sri Lanka A bowler, claiming 4 for 158 from 50 overs, dismissing Padikkal, Rasheed, and Gurnoor Brar. Dilum Sudeera took 3 for 101.
What happened to Ruturaj Gaikwad during India A's innings?
Ruturaj Gaikwad was forced to retire hurt after scoring 13, which disrupted India A's batting order in the morning session on Day 3.
