Padikkal fifty, Sudeera five-for before India A, Sri Lanka A settle for draw

Devdutt Padikkal’s half-century and left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera’s five-wicket haul were the highlights on day four as the first unofficial Test between India A and Sri Lanka A petered to a draw. India A declared for the second time in the game after setting Sri Lanka A a target north of 300, but were only able to take two wickets in the 15 overs they managed to get in. India began the day on 48 for no loss and a lead of 170, although B Sai Sudharsan had retired hurt on the third day. Padikkal and Aayush Pandey added 42 runs on the fourth morning before Sudeera removed the latter for 38 for his first wicket. Two balls later, Ravindu Fernando trapped Ruturaj Gaikwad for 1 off 2. Padikkal went on to make 67 in a knock laced with five boundaries before Sudeera struck in consecutive overs to remove him and Jurel. Shaik Rasheed and Harsh Dubey then added 47 runs for the fifth wicket before Dubey was caught behind off Chamika Gunasekara. Sudeera then snared Rasheed, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi in the next over, when India A decided to declare 311 runs ahead. Sudharsan did not return to bat for India A. Sri Lanka A’s openers had brisk and solid start, but it slightly came apart when Nabi cleaned up Pawantha Weerasinghe for 20 off 19 in the fifth over and Dubey trapped Niroshan Dickwella lbw. Nuwanidu Fernando and Ashen Bandara then saw the day out, with India A unable to inflict any further damage. Scores: India A 452 for 6 dec in 111.4 overs (Sai Sudharsan 132, Dhruv Jurel 141*, Shaik Rasheed 63; Chamika Gunasekara 3-84, Dilum Sudeera 2-143) and 189 for 8 dec in 57 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 67; Dilum Sudeera 5-49) vs Sri Lanka A 330 in 101.4 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 84, Ashen Bandara 70, Sahan Arachchige 72; Auqib Nabi 4-58) and 70 for 2 (Pawantha Weerasinghe 20; Auqib Nabi 1-18, Harsh Dubey 1-25). Match ended in a draw

Dilum Sudeera captured five wickets [Cricinfo] [Cricinfo]