Opting to bat first, India A endured a nightmare start. Sri Lanka A’s new ball attack capitalised perfectly on early moisture, dismantling the top order inside the first five overs. Explosive young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the aggressive Prabhsimran Singh both fell cheaply to loose shots, leaving India A reeling at a precarious 18 for 2.

With the team in deep trouble, Gaikwad took absolute charge of the innings. Displaying a perfect blend of cautious defense and elegant strokeplay, he systematically dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack. He found an ideal partner in captain Tilak Varma, who played a composed, mature knock.

The duo stitched together a crucial century partnership that completely shifted the momentum back to the visitors. While Varma rotated the strike efficiently to reach a solid fifty, Gaikwad accelerated at the other end. He brought up a masterful, tournament defining hundred with a crisp boundary through the covers.

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