Padikkal strikes fifty as rain forces final-day draw

India A and Sri Lanka A played out a draw after rain repeatedly interrupted proceedings on the final day of the first unofficial Test, denying either side enough time to force a result.

Resuming on 53/0 after Sai Sudharsan had retired hurt on the previous evening, India A made a steady start through Ayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal, who added 82 for the first wicket. Dilum Sudeera broke the stand by dismissing Pandey for 38 before Ravindu Fernando struck in the very next over to trap Ruturaj Gaikwad lbw for one, leaving India A at 137/2.

Padikkal, who brought up his half-century shortly after, combined fluently with Dhruv Jurel in a brisk 44-run partnership to keep India A in control. Sri Lanka A, however, clawed their way back as Sudeera removed Padikkal for 67 before Sahan Arachchige had Jurel caught behind in the following over. Despite the double blow, India A went into Lunch well placed at 172/4.

Rain halted play just two deliveries into the second session, and when action finally resumed, Sri Lanka A seized the initiative. They first ended the 47-run stand between Shaik Rasheed and Harsh Dubey before Sudeera produced a remarkable three-wicket over to complete a five-wicket haul. With India A slipping to 189/8 but holding an overall lead of 311, the visitors opted to declare.

Set 312 to win, Sri Lanka A began brightly. Pawantha Weerasinghe struck four boundaries in a brisk 20, while Niroshan Dickwella counterattacked against Harsh Dubey after India A introduced spin early. Their promising start was short-lived, though, as Auqib Nabi dismissed Weerasinghe before Dubey trapped Dickwella lbw in consecutive overs.

Rain intervened again soon after, and although play eventually resumed following a delay of more than two hours, only 8.3 overs were possible before Stumps were drawn, with Sri Lanka A finishing on 70/2.

Earlier in the match, India A piled up 452/6d after centuries from Sudharsan and Jurel. Sri Lanka A replied with 330, built around Nuwanidu Fernando's 84, Ashen Bandara's 70 and Arachchige's 72, while Nabi starred with the ball, claiming 4-58.

Brief Scores:India A 452/6d (Dhruv Jurel 141, Sai Sudharsan 132; Chamika Gunasekera 3-84) & 189/8d (Devdutt Padikkal 67, Ayush Pandey 38; Dilum Sudeera 5-49) drew with Sri Lanka A 330 (Nuwanidu Fernando 84, Sahan Arachchige 72; Auqib Nabi 4-58) & 70/2 (Pawantha Weerasinghe 20; Auqib Nabi 1-18).