India-A completed a 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka-A with a 152-run win in the second and final ‘Test’ at the KSCA Stadium here on Monday.
India-A applied the finishing touches, picking up the three remaining Sri Lankan wickets in the first hour.
Lakshan Sandakan fell in the fourth over, rapped on the pads by leg-spinner Rahul Chahar. The key wicket of Kamindu Mendis was taken by off-spinner Jayant Yadav, who got one to stay low.
The last pair of Vishwa Fernando (32, 42b, 5x4, 1x6) and Lahiru Kumara (13, 20b, 1x4, 1x6) hung on gamely for 52 balls, until Fernando rushed out at Chahar and was stumped.
It was a match to remember for local cricketers Darshan Negalur and K. Mahantesh, who got to field for India-A on Sunday and Monday.
Negalur and Mahantesh were called into action for brief periods as the 12-man India-A squad fell short of fielders. The duo did not get the chance to take catches or effect run-outs, but gave a good account of themselves in a most unexpected First Class appearance.
The two teams will face each other in five one-day matches, commencing on June 6. The first three one-dayers will be held at Belagavi, while the final two games will be at Hubballi.
India-A batting coach and former Saurashtra stalwart Sitanshu Kotak was thrilled with his team's terrific performance in this series.
"We wanted to play attacking cricket and get outright victories. That's why our run-rate stayed above 4-per-over right through this series. Another big positive was that we were able to give all players match-time. (Head coach) Rahul Dravid has a philosophy, and we have followed that in his absence," Kotak said.
The scores: India-A 269 & 372 bt Sri Lanka-A 212 & 277 in 66.4 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 110, Kamindu Mendis 46, Vishwa Fernando 32, Rahul Chahar five for 112). Man-of-the-Match: K.S. Bharat.
