India’s projected score shows 950 as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi completes perfect Sri Lanka revenge

‘Baby monster’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi brandished his blade so hard in the final of the tri-series against Sri Lanka A that India A’s projected score displayed an unimaginable 950 after four overs. With the help of Sooryavanshi’s unworldly attack against the Lankan side at the Rangiri International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla, India A got the perfect start in the all-important clash.

With his lightning-fast knock in the middle, Sooryavanshi took just 11 balls to complete his half-century, which eventually also became the fastest fifty in List-A cricket. After four overs into the one-day contest, Sooryavanshi had faced 12 balls, scoring 54 already, while his partner Priyansh Arya managed ‘only’ 20, having faced equinumerous deliveries, as the total read 76-0 without any loss of wicket.

Sooryavanshi continued his assault and kept the Lankan bowlers on their toes before perishing on 94 off 29 deliveries. Had the 29th delivery that the 15-year-old faced gone for a six, Sooryavanshi would have registered the joint-fastest century in 50-over cricket. It, unfortunately, wasn’t meant to be for the Bihar-born batter, though, as he handed a simple catch to the mid-off fielder in the ninth over off Sahan Arachchige.

Sooryavanshi’s thunderous knock included ten fours and eight sixes, meaning that 88 off his 94 runs came only in boundaries. Right after his dismissal, the run-rate, although still quite high, started to diminish significantly. Six balls later, Arya also departed for 39, facing as many balls as his opening partner.

As of writing, India A have faced 20 overs, with skipper Tilak Varma (31* off 34) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (19* off 28) steering the innings forward at 188-2. The platform is set for the Men in Blue to post a humongous total on the board, as it will give them a massive boost in the finale of the tri-series. It will, however, be interesting to see if Sooryavanshi’s fall gives the Sri Lankans a chance of making a comeback in the game.