Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi endured a dramatic innings before falling short of a substantial score as India’s young opener was dismissed for 38 against Afghanistan A in the fifth match of the tri-nation series in Dambulla on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old survived two close calls in the early stages of his innings, raising hopes of a significant contribution. However, despite capitalising on the opportunities with a flurry of boundaries, he was unable to convert his start into a match-defining knock.

The drama began when Sooryavanshi was yet to get off the mark. Attempting to cut a delivery outside off stump, he appeared to have been brilliantly caught by a diving fielder at short backward point. The on-field umpire raised his finger, and the youngster had already begun his walk back to the pavilion.

However, a review by the third umpire changed the course of events. Replays suggested that the fielder had not completed the catch cleanly, with part of the ball appearing to make contact with the ground during the process. The decision was overturned, and Sooryavanshi was called back to continue his innings.

The reversal sparked visible frustration among the Afghanistan A players, who felt the catch had been taken fairly. Nevertheless, the batter received an unexpected second chance.

Just a few deliveries later, fortune smiled on him again. This time, a catch opportunity at square leg went down, handing Sooryavanshi another reprieve and allowing him to continue his stay at the crease.

After surviving the early scares, the left-hander settled down and played a series of attacking strokes, finding the boundary on multiple occasions. His positive approach helped him move quickly through the gears and provided India with an aggressive start.

Yet, the promising innings ended before it could develop into something bigger. In the eighth over, Afghanistan A finally found the breakthrough when Faridoon Dawoodzai dismissed Sooryavanshi for 38 runs from just 28 deliveries.

While the knock showcased the youngster’s attacking intent and ability to recover from pressure situations, it also marked another occasion where he was unable to transform a good start into a major score.

For Afghanistan A, the eventual dismissal brought relief after two missed opportunities. For Sooryavanshi, it was an innings that highlighted both his talent and the fine margins that can define a batter’s day at the crease.