Jurel, Saransh put India A into lead against Sri Lanka A after Sudharsan's ton

GALLE: Half-centuries from Saransh Jain and captain Dhruv Jurel after left-handed opener Sai Sudharsan's monumental century put India A into a handy lead over Sri Lanka A on the penultimate day of their second unofficial Test here at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

At the stumps on day three, the visitors were well-placed at 541/8, leading by 175 runs, with Jain and lower-order batter Yash Thakur unbeaten on 68 and two, respectively.

Earlier in the day, India A resumed their first innings from 247/1 through Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, unbeaten on 104 and 94, respectively, in response to Sri Lanka A's 366 all out.

The duo, however, could add just one run to their overnight century-plus partnership for the second wicket as Padikkal fell on the third delivery of the day and walked back after narrowly missing a well-deserved century as he scored 94 off 152 deliveries.

Sudharsan was then joined by captain Jurel in the middle, and the duo reinstated India A's dominance by putting together 120 runs for the third wicket until the opener was eventually trapped lbw by Dilum Sudeera.

The left-handed opener remained the top-scorer for India A in the first innings with 168 off 267 deliveries, studded with 22 fours.

Jurel then shared a brief 32-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Shaik Rasheed until he too fell victim to Sudeera. He made 53 off 88 deliveries with the help of six fours.

His dismissal paved the way for Jain to walk out and bat at No.7, and the all-rounder shared handy partnerships with Rasheed (45) and Auqib Nabi (30) to bolster India A's total past the 500-run mark.

While India A lost two more wickets in the dying minutes of the penultimate day, Jain ensured holding one end firmly and returned unbeaten on 68 off 137 deliveries, having smashed two fours and a six.

For Sri Lanka A, Keshara Nuwantha has picked up four wickets, followed by Dilum Sudeera with three, while Sahan Arachchige has made one scalp.