Priyansh Arya smashed an attacking 58 runs off 42 balls to rescue India A in a critical, must-win match against Afghanistan A. Playing in the 2026 Sri Lanka Tri-Nation A Series, his explosive innings gave India A the early momentum they desperately needed on a slow pitch in Dambulla. Afghanistan A won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to use a sluggish Dambulla wicket to trouble the Indian batters. However, the 24-year-old left-handed opener, along with his 15-year-old opening partner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, came out with a completely fearless approach. The duo completely dismantled the opening bowlers, racing to 75 runs in just 8 overs before Sooryavanshi was dismissed for a quick-fire 38. Out of the opening stand, Arya took maximum control, keeping a strike rate well over 138 to ensure the run rate did not drop after the first wicket fell.

Arya's batting was a showcase of pure timing and power. He hit 9 fours and 1 massive six. This meant 42 of his 58 runs came solely from boundary shots. He reached his half-century in just 29 balls, placing immense pressure on the Afghan spin and pace attack. Arya looked poised for a massive century but was eventually outsmarted in the 15th over by bowler Farmanullah Safi. Safi bowled a short ball that generated an unexpected, extra bounce. Arya tried to clear the field but got caught by Shams Ur Rahman at backward point. Arya's aggressive start laid the ultimate foundation. Following his departure, skipper Tilak Varma anchor-rolled the innings with a steady 59 runs, while middle-order batter Kumar Kushagra capitalised on the tired bowlers to smash 58 runs. Together, these three fifties pushed India A to a highly dominant total of 319/9 in their 50 overs.

Tilak Varma hits third fifty plus scores in Tri Nation series in Sri Lanka

Tilak Varma played a captain's knock of 59 runs off 75 balls to anchor India A in their vital match against Afghanistan A. This crucial innings marked his third 50-plus score in just four matches during the 2026 Sri Lanka Tri-Nation A Series.The skipper has been the absolute backbone of India A's batting order on the challenging tracks in Dambulla. When Tilak Varma walked out to bat, India A had a great platform but risked losing momentum after the openers fell. Varma hit 5 fours and 0 sixes during his stay. He deliberately slowed down his scoring rate to make sure India A did not collapse. Alongside wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra (who also scored a brilliant 58), Varma stitched together a powerful 104-run stand for the 4th wicket. This partnership completely deflated the Afghanistan A bowling attack.

Varma looked set to stay until the final over. However, in the 45th over, he fell to a slower, wide ball from Abdollah Ahmadzai. Varma tried to fetch it to the leg side but got a thick edge straight to keeper Mohammad Ishaq. Varma has masterfully changed his batting style to rescue his team in different match situations throughout this series. In the opening match, the pitch was incredibly slow. Varma chose to put a high premium on his wicket, grinding out a tough 60 to steady the team. In the second match, India A piled up a huge 349. Varma was much more aggressive here, striking at over 90 to push the run rate high. He suffered his lone cheap dismissal in the fourth game, where the middle order collapsed briefly behind him and he could score only 23 runs.