Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Impresses with 22-ball 44 as India A Batters Fire Against Afghanistan A in Dambulla

Dambulla, June 11: The spotlight once again fell on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but India A’s batting effort against Afghanistan A in the Sri Lanka A Tri-Series was very much a collective statement.

A day after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s century powered India A to victory against Sri Lanka A, the Indian batting unit once again showcased its depth and versatility, posting an imposing 349/9 in 49 overs after being asked to bat first at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

While Prabhsimran Singh’s attacking 84 laid the platform and Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma registered half-centuries, it was Sooryavanshi’s fearless 44 off just 22 balls that generated the biggest buzz.

The 15-year-old has already established himself as one of the most exciting batting talents in Indian cricket, but what impressed observers on Thursday was not merely the runs he scored, but the conditions in which he scored them.

Vaibhav Shows He Is More Than Just an IPL Sensation

Sooryavanshi arrived in Sri Lanka carrying enormous expectations after his breakthrough IPL 2026 season. However, questions remained about whether his aggressive approach would translate to slower pitches and longer formats away from the batting paradises of the IPL.

After getting out cheaply for 12 in the first game against Sri Lanka A, the youngster’s response was emphatic.

Facing a new ball and conditions that offered considerably more assistance to bowlers than most IPL venues, Sooryavanshi attacked from the outset. His innings featured nine boundaries and came at a strike rate of 200, ensuring India A seized early momentum despite losing wickets at the other end.

The knock drew praise from former India batter and veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, who believes Sooryavanshi’s talent extends well beyond T20 cricket.

“India A is in Sri Lanka, the pitch is not as flat as in the IPL and it’s not T20 cricket. So watching Vaibhav Suryavanshi in different batting conditions and I am excited,” Manjrekar posted on X.

“He is not just your T20 slogger. He can be a one-day phenomenon too. Special talent.”

Those observations were difficult to argue with as the teenager once again displayed remarkable confidence against quality bowling.

Prabhsimran Provides the Perfect Launchpad

While Sooryavanshi’s innings grabbed attention, Prabhsimran Singh was equally important to India’s innings. The wicketkeeper-batter from Punjab produced a commanding 84 off 69 deliveries, peppering the boundary ropes with 14 fours. His aggressive approach ensured Afghanistan A never settled into a rhythm during the opening phase.

Together, Prabhsimran and Sooryavanshi transformed India’s start into a nightmare for Afghanistan’s bowlers, racing to 74 before the teenager departed.

The partnership reinforced India’s growing depth at the top of the order, where multiple players are now capable of changing the complexion of a match within a few overs.

Gaikwad and Tilak Anchor the Middle Overs

After the early fireworks, the responsibility shifted to the more experienced duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and captain Tilak Varma. The pair performed that role to perfection.

Gaikwad followed up his century against Sri Lanka A with another mature innings, scoring 66 off 80 balls. His knock lacked the explosiveness of the previous game but provided exactly what India needed after the early wickets.

Tilak matched him almost stroke for stroke, contributing 66 off 73 deliveries. Together, they absorbed pressure, rotated strike effectively and prevented Afghanistan A from building momentum during the middle overs.

The innings highlighted an important aspect of India’s batting resources. While players such as Sooryavanshi and Prabhsimran can dominate powerplays, Gaikwad and Tilak offer stability and control when conditions demand patience.

India’s Lower Order Adds the Finishing Touches

The final phase of the innings once again underlined India’s batting depth. Suryansh Shedge played an impressive cameo with a rapid 40 off 27 balls, while Anukul Roy chipped in with an unbeaten 16 from just eight deliveries.

Even after losing a cluster of wickets in the closing overs, India maintained their scoring rate and finished with 349 runs on the board.

The total was particularly impressive given that Afghanistan A’s attack featured multiple wicket-taking spells, including Abdollah Ahmadzai’s five-wicket haul and Farmanullah’s three wickets.

Despite those breakthroughs, India A still crossed the 340-run mark with relative comfort.