Runs galore in A-team clash in Sri Lanka

With India A and Sri Lanka A slugging it out in a three Test and three one-day match series, there has been plenty of action from the young guns. The pitches so far have held out well, serving up some healthy batting displays. Delhi openers Akash Chopra and Gautam Gambhir began the run-fest, scoring tons in the tour openers at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the perpetual hero of Indian domestiuc cricket came close, making 97.

The hosts showed that they were not far behind Michael Vandort responded with a resplendent unbeaten 101. The left-hander impressed many when he played against the Indian senior team last year. Nimesh Perera coming in to bat late in the order helped himself to 74.

But that was only a tour match. The first Test has already seen a string of strong performances from the batsmen. India A batting first afforded Gambhir, Kanitkar, Parthiv Patel and Jai P Yadav chances to score half-centuries. Gambhir in particular has been impressive, adding a sparkling 120 in the second innings to his first innings 79.

This time around though, the hosts were unable to match the visitors. Amit Mishra's 5/35 ensured that India A are right on top. And this is just the beginning of the tour.