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India A faced Afghanistan A in a tri-series one-day match in Dambulla, but the final match was washed out due to rain. In a match full of unexpected turns, Afghanistan A defeated India A by four runs via the DLS method on 11 June, leaving captain Tilak Verma frustrated and disappointed.
The young Indian skipper believes his team is still in the fight and believes the result could have been different had rain not disrupted the match again in the deciding stage.
Rain ruins India A party as Afghanistan A register dramatic DLS win in Dambulla
India A’s batsmen made the most of the surface and helped the team post a mammoth total of 349 runs against Afghanistan A and Tilak Verma believed that this score was competitive for those conditions. However, recently Tilak Verma had to face criticism for his batting.
However, the weather changed everything. Rain forced the match officials to revise the target, and Afghanistan were asked to chase 298 runs in 38 overs instead of the target of 350 runs. India A needed early wickets, but the Afghan openers gave them a flying start.
Arshad Khan gave the team its first success by dismissing opener Hasan Isaakhil. Later, Anukul Roy dismissed Khalid Taniwal on the score of one point. After this, Afghanistan A captain Imran Mir and Bahir Shah completely dominated by making an unbeaten 108-run partnership for the third wicket against India A in Dambulla.
Tilak Verma blames rain and DLS for India A’s defeat
Unfortunately, the rain returned once again during the thrilling finale. At that time Afghanistan A’s score was 177 runs for 2 wickets in 26 overs and was slightly ahead of the DLS score. Since the game could not continue, they were declared winners by four runs via the DLS method.
After the match, India captain Tilak Verma blamed rain and DLS for the heartbreaking defeat against Afghanistan A. The captain said in the post-match presentation, “To be honest, we batted well, and 349 was a par score on this pitch. But, unfortunately, because of how DLS works, the game was reduced to 39 overs, but we were still in the game. Unfortunately, the rain came.”
Tilak Verma refuses to blame the bowlers, eyes a strong comeback
However, Tilak admitted that some chances in the field did not go India A’s favour. However, Vaibhav Suryavanshi played a explosive innings for India A.
“We made some changes here and there but there is a shortage of fielders. Afghanistan played well, but at the same time we were thinking that the game would go to 38 overs. Had it gone to 38 overs, things could have been different,” the 23-year-old said.
The captain did not blame his bowlers for the defeat and said that the team will learn from the match, work on the mistakes and come back stronger and win the next two matches to make it to the finals. India A will next face Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on June 15.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a matter of concern, but we will go back to the drawing board and come back stronger in the next game. Our aim is to win the next two games and play the final,” Tilak said.
