India A eye massive 1st-innings lead in first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A

India A enjoy a 137-run lead after the second session on Day 3. Tomorrow will be the last day of this unofficial Test and Dhruv Jurel's side is certainly in the driving seat. Auqib Nabi joined the party late but has two wickets now. Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey brought India A back in the game after crucial breakthroughs. 

So, the umpires have called for the tea break and India A would be mightily happy. They have taken four big wickets in this session that was also marred by a rain halt.  

Auqib Nabi on a roll

In his next over, Auqib Nabi has taken his second scalp of the innings as Sri Lanka A now lose their seventh wicket. This time, it is Anjala Bandara, who was set after playing 40 deliveries. However, he couldn't stay for long, getting caught by who else but Devdutt Padikkal. Jurel has brought back Yash Thakur from the other end as India A would try to wrap Lankan innings quickly. 

Trail is now of 143 runs. 

One bowler who was yet to take a scalp has joined the party as well. Auqib Nabi (perhaps) taking the second new ball has weaved his magic, taking Ravindu Fernando's wicket as Sri Lanka A lose 6. Fernando was going ultra-attacking as he smashed 22 off 16 but SL A are in massive trouble now. 

From being 260/3, the hosts are now reduced to 300/6. The trail is still well above 100 runs. 

And just after that, India A have taken ascendancy here in Galle. Harsh Dubey, who recently made his international debut, has picked up his first wicket as Sri Lanka A start to crumble now. 
He has taken the big one as Arachchige falls for 72. Another catch at slips by Padikkal. 

SL A still trail by 162 runs, with five wickets in hand.

So there it is. Just after I wrote about how strong the hosts were going, India A have picked up a crucial and timely wicket. Off-spinner Saransh Jain has done his magic, dismissing a well-set Ashen Bandara for 70. 
Devdutt Padikkal takes the catch and India A now complete four wickets. 

Sri Lanka A still trail by 188 runs as Anjala Bandara comes to the crease to join Arachchige (68*)

After the rain break, Sri Lanka A continue with piling of runs. The partnership between Bandara and Arachchige has moved past 115+ runs as India A now in desperate need of wickets.

Play has been stopped in Galle due to rain. It remains to be seen how long the game remain paused for.

Five bowlers have been used by Dhruv Jurel so far but the visitors are yet to find the second wicket on Day 3. All five bowlers have bowled over 10 overs. Sri Lanka A continue to frustrate India A as captain Arachchige is now closing in on his fifty. 
Sri Lanka A are 224/3 and trail by 228 runs

Ashen Bandara and Arachchige are out in the middle to resume the proceedings for Sri Lanka A in session 2. India A bowlers will be hoping to get more han just one wicket in this session.
Sri Lanka A are 211/3 and trail by 241 runs

Sri Lanka A have managed to reach 204/3 at Lunch on Day 3 of the 1st unofficial Test against India A. Unlike on Day 2, there were no rain interruptions in the first session, which the hosts made the most of. After losing Nuwanidu Fernando early in the 1st session, Bandara and the SL-A captain did well to steady the ship, stitching together a 61-run partnership. Yash Thakur was the only India A bowler to taste success on Day 3. 
Sri Lanka A are 204/3 and trail by 248 runs

Ashen Bandara has reached his half-century as Sri Lanka A continue to pile up runs. The batter has played 127 deliveries so far and has struck 8 fours. The hosts have gone past the 200-run mark, with the partnership between Bandara and Arachchige swelling with each delivery.
Sri Lanka A are 203/3 and trail by 249 runs

Ashen Bandara leads the fight back as Sri Lanka go past the 150-run mark. The batter is in the 30s now and is inching towards a half-century. Boundaries have started to flow more freely now.
Sri Lanka A are 165/3 and trail by 287 runs

Nuwanidu Fernando fails to get to his hundred as he is dismissed by Yash Thakur, thanks to a catch by Ayush Pandey. The Sri Lanka A batter has to depart after scoring 84 runs as the hosts lose their third wicket. Captain Sahan Arachchige is the next batter to walk out to the middle. 
Sri Lanka A are 146/3 and trail by 306 runs

Nuwanidu Fernando has moved into the 70s and is eyeing the triple-figure mark now. The India A bowlers are yet to find a breakthrough. The partnership between Fernando and Bandara is now worth 90 runs. 
Sri Lanka A are 128/2

Play is underway on Day 3 of the India A vs Sri Lanka A 1st unofficial Test, with the hosts resuming their innings at 113/2. Ashen Bandara and Nuwanidu Fernando will be aiming to amass as many runs as possible in the 1st session. Meanwhile, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi will be looking for ealry breakthroughs.