Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 44 off 22 balls powers India A to 161/2 against Afghanistan A
Afghanistan A defeated India A by four runs via the DLS method in a rain-affected 49-over match in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, on June 11, 2026. India A had posted 349/9, with half-centuries from Prabhsimran Singh (84), Ruturaj Gaikwad (66), and captain Tilak Varma (66), while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed a rapid 44 off 22 balls at the top. Rain repeatedly interrupted the second innings, and with Afghanistan A at 177/2 in 25.5 overs — four runs ahead of the DLS par score — bad light and persistent rain ended play, handing Afghanistan A the victory.
In the second match of the Tri-Nation A Series in Dambulla, Afghanistan A claimed a dramatic four-run DLS victory over India A despite the latter posting a formidable 349/9 in their allotted 49 overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old opener, set the tone with a blistering 44 off 22 balls featuring nine fours at a strike rate of 200, before being caught behind off Abdullah Ahmadzai. Prabhsimran Singh anchored the innings with 84 off 69 balls, while Gaikwad and Tilak Varma each contributed 66 runs in a controlled middle-order partnership. Ahmadzai was the standout bowler for Afghanistan A, finishing with a five-wicket haul. Rain during the innings break reduced Afghanistan A's target to 294 from 38 overs, and their openers Hassan Eisakhil (34) and captain Imran Mir set a solid platform; Mir went on to make 75 not out off 70 balls, earning Player of the Match honours. With Imran Mir and Bahir Shah (51 not out) keeping Afghanistan A ahead of the DLS par score, rain and bad light ended play at 25.5 overs, sealing the result. The defeat leaves India A level on points with Afghanistan A but with a lower net run rate, and they must win their remaining two group-stage games to secure a place in the final.
What's missing
No source clarifies whether floodlights were available at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium or why they were not used, which ESPNcricinfo noted was a factor in the match likely being decided by DLS.
How coverage differed
Times of India focused primarily on Sooryavanshi's batting display and framed the match around his individual performance and fan reaction, while ESPNcricinfo and The Hindu provided more comprehensive match analysis covering both innings and tactical dimensions; NDTV's live-blog format included broader tournament context and post-match quotes from both captains.
What different sources said
- NDTVCenter
India A vs Afghanistan A LIVE Score, Tri-Nation Series: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India A Suffer Huge Setback Due To DLS, Massive Challenge Awaits Next
- Times of IndiaCenter
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 200-strike-rate knock leaves fans wanting more as India A star falls for 44 vs Afg
- The HinduCenter
India A vs Afghanistan A live score, Tri-Nation Series 2026: Gaikwad brings up second half-century on the bounce, IND A 238/3 (36); Match reduced to 49 overs per side
- ESPNcricinfoCenter
Prabhsimran, Gaikwad, Tilak score fifties in DLS loss to Afghanistan A
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