India A seals Test series with emphatic wins

India A team cruised to two comprehensive victories over Sri Lanka A at Belagavi and Hubli to pocket the unofficial Test series 2-0. Rahul Chahar, Srikar Bharat, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Priyank Panchal emerged with spectacular performances as India defeated a formidable Sri Lankan side overwhelmingly. The margin of the first victory was an innings and 205 runs while the second win was by 152 runs.

In the first match at Belagavi, Karnataka, India A stormed to a mammoth total of 622/5 as the openers, Priyank Panchal (160) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (233) added 352 runs for the first wicket. Anmolpreet Singh also celebrated a century with a 116 not out. Rahul Chahar starred with the ball as he picked up consecutive four-wicket hauls (4/78 and 4/45) to stifle the Sri Lankans. The side with eight internationals conceded a heavy defeat of an innings and 205 runs.

Sri Lanka applied early pressure on the Indians in the second Test at Hubli but Srikar Bharat responded with a splendid 117. India A was all out for 269 runs and then skittled the Sri Lankan side for only 212 runs. Amongst the five half-centuries in India’s second innings, the highest score belonged to Rahul Chahar who scored 84. Chasing 430 runs to win, Sri Lanka A fell for 277 all out. Chahar starred once again with a five-wicket haul.

The teams now return to Belagavi where they will play three of the five One Day matches from 6th June. Last two ODDs will be played at Hubli and the series will be completed on 15th June.