Tensions simmered, tempers frayed and confusion reigned at the Rangiri International Stadium on Monday as India-A suffered a seven-run defeat to Sri Lanka-A in a dramatic Super Over finish.

As the Indian players walked off, there was a sense of disbelief. A match that had seemed within their grasp had somehow slipped away. After recovering to 265 thanks to maiden List A fifties from Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam, India-A found itself in winning positions before Sri Lanka-A fought back, led by a determined 93 from Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Making the most of a reprieve, Samarawickrama battled cramps through the closing stages and kept the host alive. When the scores were level at 265, the match headed into a Super Over.

But not before controversy.

India-A believed Chamika Gunasekara had not offered a shot during a crucial appeal late in the chase and argued its case passionately. The umpires disagreed. The fading light soon became another talking point. India A captain Tilak Varma spent time in discussion with the umpires, urging them to begin the Super Over.

Sources told The Hindu that the officials had informed the Indian team that play would be stopped if the umpires deemed the light unfit. Yet, despite visibility deteriorating steadily, the game continued.

Needing 17 runs from six balls, India-A’s decision not to have Vaibhav Sooryavanshi face the first delivery raised eyebrows. With visibility far from ideal, India-A managed only nine runs.

Emotions spilled over at the end as Sooryavanshi was involved in a heated exchange with Vishen Halambage and a few Sri Lankan players, an ugly conclusion to an otherwise fiercely contested game.

Earlier, India-A appeared headed for a below-par total after slipping to 143 for seven. On a surface where batting never came easily, Sri Lanka-A’s bowlers had seized control. Just when the innings threatened to unravel, Shedge (72, 66b, 3x4, 2x6) and Nigam (51, 49b, 6x4) stitched together a 104-run partnership for the eighth wicket to lift India-A to 265. In the end, however, their efforts were not enough as India-A lost its second game in a row in the Tri-nation series.

The scores: India-A 265 in 49.2 overs (Gaikwad 37, Shedge 72, Nigam 51, Shiraz 3/33, Viyaskanth 3/26) tied with Sri Lanka-A 265/9 in 50 overs (Dickwella 37, Samarawickrama 93).

Super Over: Sri Lanka 16-0 beat India A 9-0.

Toss: Sri Lanka; PoM: Samarawickrama.