Sri Lanka A in deep trouble after losing wickets on Day 3 against India A

Brief scores: Sri Lanka A - 210/7 (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 110, Kamindu Mendis 33*; Rahul Chahar - 3/73, Shivam Dube 2/25) need 220 runs to win at the end of day three of the second unofficial Test in Hubli after the exploits of India A - 372/10 (Rahul Chahar 84, Anmolpreet Singh 60, Srikar Bharat 60; Vishwa Fernando 3/68, Lakshan Sandakan 3/87)

After gaining a comfortable lead in the second innings of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A, Priyank Panchal-led India A have positioned themselves at a position of registering back-to-back wins against their southern neighbours at Hubli. India had scored 269 runs in the first innings after winning the toss and Sri Lanka managed a competitive 212. However, the home team blasted 372 runs in the second innings and the touring team stood at 210/7 at the end of day three.

India ended day two on 216/6 but Rahul Chahar’s innings of 84 runs rocketed the side to 366/7 before two more wickets fell for six runs. In reply, Sri Lanka opener Sadeera Samarawickrama (4) fell in the very first over bowled by Sandeep Warrier. Pathum Nissanka (5) stayed on the crease for 23 balls but was dismissed by Shivam Dube. Ashan Priyanjan (6) followed the suit to be dismissed by Shivam Dube.

Number three Bhanuka Rajapaksa (110) stitched a 63-run partnership with Niroshan Dickwella (18) but the wicket-keeper batsman lost his wicket to Rahul Chahar in the 27th over. The leg-spinner was having a field day as he even dismissed Priyamal Perera (11) in the 33rd over followed by Rajapaksa's wicket in the 39th over. Malinda Pushpakumara’s (11) wicket by Aditya Sarwate was the last wicket to fall on day three. Sri Lanka ended their day in a precarious position with Kamindu Mendis (33*) and Lakshan Sandakan (2*) at the crease and 220 runs still required to win on the final day of the match.