Dambulla: Stung by two consecutive defeats in a tournament they were expected to dominate, an India A side filled with IPL specialists, will look to get their act together and return to winning ways when they take on Afghanistan A in their tri-series contest here on Wednesday.
Each of the three teams, including hosts Sri Lanka A, will play against the others twice before the finalists are decided. While two losses have indeed added pressure on the Indian side, a win over Afghanistan A would bolster their chances of making the summit clash.
The hosts Sri Lanka are sitting pretty on top with 4 points and a Net Run Rate of 0.494 with two wins and a defeat in three matches, effectively leaving India and Afghanistan to battle it out among themselves.
Only NRR separates India (2 points, 0.032) and Afghanistan (2 points, -1.392) so far, which means the Tilak Varma-led side will have to show greater resolve and hope inclement weather does not hamper their chances.
Additionally, the contest here on Wednesday could also be India A's last on this trip as Afghanistan A, who have two matches left, can still outmatch their rivals on points provided they win each of those.
On their part, India A would know they are yet to produce a complete game as even against Sri Lanka A in their tournament opener, they were made to work hard for the narrow win by eight runs.
Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's run-in with Sri Lanka A's Kugathas Mathulan following a Super Over defeat in dying light on Monday has added spice to an otherwise placid event on very slow tracks. Chasing 17 in the Super Over, India A could only manage nine runs with Sooryavanshi facing the final three balls of the over.