Declaration plan of India A
Openers Aayush Pandey (20)* and Devdutt Padikkal (20)* will continue the innings on Day 4. With a significant first innings lead already in hand, India A are expected to score at a brisk pace during the morning session, aiming to increase their lead to around 325-350 runs before the announcement. Such a target would leave Sri Lanka A with a daunting chase, while giving the Indian bowling attack plenty of time to force a result.
Sai Sudharsan’s fitness remains under the scanner
India A could be without one of their standout performers if needed later in the innings. After scoring a superb 132 in the first innings, Sai Sudharsan retired with just four overs left in India’s second innings. His fitness remains an issue, although the visitors may not need to bat against him again if their top order accelerates as planned.
Auqib Nabi leads the Indian bowling attack
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi emerged as a game-changer on the 3rd. on the day with outstanding figures of 4/58, sparking a dramatic collapse of the lower order as Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for just 30 runs. He will once again lead India’s pace attack, while spinners Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur are expected to play an increasingly important role on a surface that should offer more spin and variable bounce as the match progresses.
Sri Lanka A face a star survival test
The hosts’ priority will be to compete on the last day to save the draw. Their hopes will rest heavily on first-innings performers Nuwanida Fernando (84), captain Sahan Arachchige (72) and Ashen Bandara (70), who will have to put up another resilient knock against an Indian attack that has gained confidence after dominating the later stages of day three.
