A breathtaking assault from teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi powered India ‘A’ to a commanding 66-run victory over Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the final of the Tri-Series 2026, as the visitors lifted the title in emphatic fashion.

After being asked to bat, India ‘A’ piled up a daunting 377 for 9 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to Sooryavanshi’s explosive 94 off just 29 balls. The left-hander unleashed a stunning display of power-hitting, smashing 10 fours and eight sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 324.13.

Together with Priyansh Arya, who made a brisk 39, he put on 132 runs for the opening wicket in less than nine overs, leaving the Sri Lankan bowlers reeling.

Although Sooryavanshi fell agonisingly short of a century, India maintained the momentum through Ruturaj Gaikwad (40) and captain Tilak Varma, who anchored the middle overs with a well-compiled 67. Kumar Kushagra contributed 36, while Anukul Roy provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 39 from just 15 deliveries, including four sixes.

For Sri Lanka, Wanuja Sahan was the most economical bowler and claimed two wickets, while Ravindu Fernando and Kugathas Mathulan also picked up two scalps each.

Faced with a formidable target, Sri Lanka ‘A’ launched a spirited chase but were eventually bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama led the resistance with an attractive 52 off 44 balls, while Wanuja Sahan produced a fighting 62. Captain Sahan Arachchige chipped in with 38 and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth added 39, but the required rate continued to climb.

India’s bowlers struck at regular intervals, with Yash Thakur and Vipraj Nigam claiming three wickets apiece. Anukul Roy supported well with two wickets as Sri Lanka’s challenge faded in the closing stages.

Sri Lanka stand on the brink of a potential breakthrough at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as they prepare for a decisive Group Stage encounter against West Indies, with a place in the semi-finals firmly within reach.

After reviving their campaign with an impressive victory over New Zealand, the Sri Lankans have injected fresh life into their tournament aspirations. The win not only boosted confidence within the squad but also placed them in a strong position heading into one of their most important matches of the competition.

A victory over the Caribbean side would leave Sri Lanka well placed to secure a coveted berth in the last four, marking a significant achievement for the women’s team on the global stage.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu will once again carry much of the responsibility at the top of the order. Although she has shown glimpses of her class in previous matches, the experienced all-rounder will be eager to convert promising starts into a substantial innings capable of steering her side to victory.

Sri Lanka’s batting depth will also be tested, with Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshi de Silva expected to play key roles. Their ability to anchor the innings while maintaining scoring momentum could prove decisive in a contest where every run may carry added significance.

The bowling attack has been one of Sri Lanka’s standout features throughout the tournament. Disciplined performances and timely breakthroughs have enabled the team to remain competitive against strong opposition, and another collective effort will be required against a powerful West Indies batting line-up.

Sri Lanka can also draw encouragement from recent history. Ahead of the World Cup, they secured a bilateral series victory over West Indies, a result that demonstrated their ability to challenge and overcome the Caribbean outfit. While major tournaments often present different pressures, that success provides a valuable boost to confidence.

West Indies, meanwhile, enter the match in formidable form after registering consecutive wins in the tournament. Armed with experienced campaigners and a fearless approach, they will be determined to preserve their winning momentum and strengthen their own semi-final ambitions.

With both teams chasing a place in the knockout stage, Sunday’s showdown in Bristol promises to be one of the most significant and closely contested matches of the group phase.

Sri Lankan media reports indicate that ICC Chairman Jay Shah has arrived in Sri Lanka for talks with government representatives and cricket stakeholders regarding the future governance of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Reports state that Shah is scheduled to hold discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and other key figures during his visit.

The meetings are expected to address the current interim administration of Sri Lanka Cricket and explore possible pathways for the sport’s governance moving forward.

Shah’s visit comes as Sri Lankan authorities continue to engage with international cricket bodies on matters relating to the administration of the game and compliance with international cricket regulations.

As of publication, neither the ICC nor the Sri Lankan government had officially confirmed or commented on the visit.