Gurnoor Brar starred with a match haul of 10 wickets as India A secured a commanding 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday, sealing the two-match series 1-0 after the opening game ended in a draw.
The right-arm pacer followed up his four-wicket haul in the first innings with career-best second-innings figures of 6/68, helping bowl Sri Lanka A out for 209. Chasing just 33 for victory, India A openers Sai Sudharsan and Aman Mokhade completed the target inside seven overs without losing a wicket.
Sri Lanka A resumed its second innings trailing by 177 runs, but Brar wasted little time in putting the hosts under pressure. He struck in the opening over to dismiss Sohan de Livera before removing Nuwanidu Fernando in the next over, giving India A an ideal start.
The pacer returned for another impactful spell, claiming Ashen and Anjala Bandara in quick succession before cleaning up the lower order to complete his six-wicket haul and register the best first-class figures of his career.
Brar received valuable support from the other end, with Auqib Nabi, Saransh Jain and Yash Thakur maintaining pressure throughout the innings and contributing with crucial wickets.
Ashen provided the only significant resistance for Sri Lanka A with an aggressive 87 off 86 deliveries, striking 11 fours and two sixes. However, with little support from the rest of the batting line-up, his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat, and he eventually fell to Brar.
Earlier in the day, India A resumed its first innings on 541 for eight with Saransh Jain and Yash Thakur at the crease. Keshara Nuwantha dismissed Thakur early to wrap up the innings at 543, giving the visitors a commanding 177-run first-innings lead. Ruturaj Gaikwad did not return to bat after retiring hurt on 13.
With a modest target set after Brar’s impressive bowling display, India A comfortably completed the chase to cap off a dominant performance under captain Dhruv Jurel. The victory ensured the visitors finished the two-match tour unbeaten and claimed the series 1-0 following the drawn opening fixture.
