Cricket

Sooryavanshi Smashes Fastest List A Fifty Off 11 Balls as India A Crush Sri Lanka A in Tri-Series Final

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced himself on the biggest stage available to him with a breathtaking 94 off just 29 balls — including

Ankit Thakur 52 minutes ago · 4 min read

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced himself on the biggest stage available to him with a breathtaking 94 off just 29 balls — including the fastest fifty in List A cricket history, reached in a mere 11 deliveries — as India A crushed Sri Lanka A by 66 runs in the Tri-Nation Series final at Dambulla on Saturday. India A’s mammoth total of 377 for 9 in 50 overs proved far too much for the hosts, who were bowled out for 311 in reply.

The performance was Sooryavanshi’s emphatic answer to a lean run in the league stage and the controversy surrounding the Super Over spat with Sri Lanka A’s Vishen Halambage that had dominated headlines throughout the series. In what may have been his final innings as an uncapped player — with a senior India T20I call-up for the Ireland and England tours already confirmed — the 19-year-old produced an innings that will be talked about for years.

The Record-Breaking Fifty

Sooryavanshi’s 11-ball fifty shattered the previous record for the fastest half-century in List A cricket:

The Carnage: Coming to the crease with India A already in a strong position, Sooryavanshi unleashed an assault that left the Sri Lankan bowlers looking like bystanders at a demolition. His first 11 balls yielded eight sixes and a four — a sequence of hitting so violent that it transcended cricket and entered the realm of pure sporting spectacle. The ball was disappearing over boundaries, onto rooftops, and into the Dambulla sky with a regularity that seemed to defy the laws of probability.

The Record: The previous fastest List A fifty — a record that had stood for years — was obliterated. Sooryavanshi didn’t just break the record; he destroyed it. The 11-ball milestone was reached with a six over long-on that sailed so far it took ground staff nearly a minute to retrieve the ball.

The Full Innings: Sooryavanshi’s 94 from 29 balls included 11 sixes and 5 fours — a strike rate of over 324. He was eventually dismissed six runs short of what would have been a remarkable century, caught on the boundary attempting to clear the ropes for the twelfth time. The standing ovation from the Dambulla crowd — including the Sri Lankan fans — acknowledged an innings of extraordinary quality.

India A’s Batting Dominance

Sooryavanshi’s fireworks were supported by strong contributions from across the India A batting lineup:

Tilak Varma (67 off 90): The India A captain anchored the innings with a mature, composed knock that provided the platform for Sooryavanshi’s later onslaught. Varma’s ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries at regular intervals demonstrated why he remains one of Indian cricket’s most exciting middle-order prospects.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (40): The opening batsman provided the early momentum with an aggressive start that set the tone for India A’s dominant batting performance.

Total: 377/9: India A’s total was the highest in the series by a considerable margin — a score that placed the match beyond Sri Lanka A’s reach from a very early stage of the chase.

Sri Lanka A’s Response

To their credit, Sri Lanka A did not surrender meekly. Wanuja Sahan (62) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (52) led a spirited chase that briefly threatened to make the match competitive. But India A’s bowling — led by Shardul Thakur (3-45) and Arshdeep Nigam (3-60) — applied consistent pressure, taking wickets in clusters that ultimately restricted Sri Lanka A to 311 all out.

What This Means for Sooryavanshi

The 94 off 29 balls — in a high-pressure final, with a controversy-laden series behind him — could not have been better timed. Sooryavanshi’s senior India T20I squad selection for the upcoming Ireland and England tours is already confirmed, and this innings provides the momentum and confidence that every young cricketer needs before stepping into international cricket. The message from Dambulla is clear: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready.

Ankit Thakur

Ankit Thakur is an Editor at Daily Tips overseeing sports and entertainment coverage. A lifelong sports enthusiast with years of journalism experience, he covers cricket, kabaddi, football, esports, and gaming. He also manages the publication's entertainment vertical, bringing insider knowledge and passionate storytelling to every piece.

Ankit Thakur

View all posts by Ankit Thakur →