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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jun 28, 2026, 10:09:34 IST
IND A vs SL A: India A will aim to tighten their grip on the 1st Unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A when play resumes on Day 4 at the Galle International Stadium. Holding a commanding overall lead of 170 runs with all 10 second-innings wickets intact, the visitors are firmly in control and will look to set a daunting fourth-innings target before pushing for victory on the final day. The opening session is expected to be crucial, with India A likely to adopt an aggressive approach in a bid to extend their lead beyond the 300-run mark before declaring and giving their bowlers ample time to exploit a deteriorating Galle surface.
India A's declaration plan
Openers Aayush Pandey (20)* and Devdutt Padikkal (20)* will resume the innings on Day 4. With a substantial first-innings advantage already in hand, India A are expected to score at a brisk pace during the morning session, aiming to stretch their lead to around 325–350 runs before declaring. Such a target would leave Sri Lanka A with a daunting chase while giving India's bowling attack enough time to force a result.
Sai Sudharsan's fitness remains under the scanner
India A could be without one of their standout performers if required later in the innings. After producing a superb 132 in the first innings, Sai Sudharsan retired hurt just four overs into India's second innings. His fitness remains a concern, although the visitors may not need him to bat again if their top order accelerates as planned.
Auqib Nabi leads India's bowling attack
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi emerged as the game-changer on Day 3 with outstanding figures of 4/58, sparking a dramatic lower-order collapse as Sri Lanka A lost their last five wickets for just 30 runs. He will once again spearhead India's pace attack, while spinners Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur are expected to play an increasingly significant role on a surface that should offer more turn and variable bounce as the match progresses.
Sri Lanka A face a stern survival test
For the hosts, the priority will be batting out the final day to salvage a draw. Their hopes will rest largely on first-innings performers Nuwanidu Fernando (84), captain Sahan Arachchige (72), and Ashen Bandara (70), who will need to produce another resilient batting effort against an Indian attack that has grown in confidence after dominating the latter stages of the third day.
India A vs Sri Lanka A: India A extend lead to 186
India A continued to strengthen their grip on the 1st Unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A with a cautious but assured start to Day 4 at the Galle International Stadium. Openers Ayush Pandey (24 off 69)* and Devdutt Padikkal (31 off 49)* remained unbeaten as the visitors moved to 64/0 in 22 overs, extending their overall lead to 186 runs. Despite disciplined spells from Ravindu Fernando and Dulaj Samuditha, Sri Lanka A failed to make a breakthrough. India A appeared content to build their lead steadily before accelerating later in the session with an eye on declaring and giving their bowlers ample time to push for victory.
India A vs Sri Lanka A: Auqib Nabi leads India's bowling attack
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi emerged as the game-changer on Day 3 with outstanding figures of 4/58, sparking a dramatic lower-order collapse as Sri Lanka A lost their last five wickets for just 30 runs. He will once again spearhead India's pace attack, while spinners Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur are expected to play an increasingly significant role on a surface that should offer more turn and variable bounce as the match progresses.
India A vs Sri Lanka A: Sai Sudharsan's fitness remains under the scanner
India A could be without one of their standout performers if required later in the innings. After producing a superb 132 in the first innings, Sai Sudharsan retired hurt just four overs into India's second innings. His fitness remains a concern, although the visitors may not need him to bat again if their top order accelerates as planned.
India A vs Sri Lanka A: India A's declaration plan
Openers Aayush Pandey (20)* and Devdutt Padikkal (20)* will resume the innings on Day 4. With a substantial first-innings advantage already in hand, India A are expected to score at a brisk pace during the morning session, aiming to stretch their lead to around 325–350 runs before declaring. Such a target would leave Sri Lanka A with a daunting chase while giving India's bowling attack enough time to force a result.
India A vs Sri Lanka A: Aiming for victory
India A will aim to tighten their grip on the 1st Unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A when play resumes on Day 4 at the Galle International Stadium. Holding a commanding overall lead of 170 runs with all 10 second-innings wickets intact, the visitors are firmly in control and will look to set a daunting fourth-innings target before pushing for victory on the final day.
IND A vs SL A: India A head into Day 4 of the 1st Unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A in a commanding position, leading by 170 runs with all 10 second-innings wickets intact. The visitors are expected to bat aggressively in the morning, set a target in excess of 300 runs, and declare before unleashing their bowlers on a deteriorating Galle surface. While Sai Sudharsan's fitness remains uncertain after retiring hurt, India A will bank on pacer Auqib Nabi, who claimed 4/58 in the first innings, along with their spin attack to force a result. Sri Lanka A, meanwhile, will look to their experienced batters to bat out the final day and salvage a draw.
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