India, June 10 -- For weeks, the conversation around India's next ODI generation has revolved around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

A 15-year-old who tore through IPL attacks at a staggering strike rate naturally carries attention wherever he goes. When India A walked out against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on Tuesday, many eyes were fixed on what Sooryavanshi would do next.

What unfolded instead was a reminder of what ODI cricket still demands. The conditions in Dambulla were nothing like the batting surfaces that defined much of IPL 2026. The pitch was slower. The ball held up. Timing was not automatic. Strokeplay required patience rather than power.

India A discovered that quickly. By the 13th over, they were 69/3. Sooryavanshi had fallen for 14...