Can India A qualify for Tri Series 2026 Final after win vs Afghanistan A? Qualification scenarios explained

India A, under the leadership of Tilak Varma,  made a strong comeback with a 101-run win over Afghanistan A, having suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the super over against Sri Lanka A during the Tri-Nation Series 2026 at the Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla, a couple of days ago. After a thrilling contest that ended in a tie and was eventually decided in a super over, the game saw a delayed no-ball call and heated spats.

With the win, India powered their net run rate of +0.797 with four points in four games, having collected two victories in as many defeats. Sri Lanka A, meanwhile, stood at the second position with four points in three games at a net run rate of +0.494, while Afghanistan A are at the third and last rank with a NRR of -1.983 and two points under their belt

India A's Tri Series 2026 results — Win vs AFG A and SL A, two losses ft. Afghanistan A & super over heartbreak

India A started their campaign of the Tri Series 2026 against Sri Lanka A in the opening game of the series and earned a nervy win by eight runs. The visitors batted first and posted 277/6 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to the fine knock of 101 runs from Ruturaj Gaikwad, along with Tilak’s 60 runs. 

In reply, Sri Lanka A were in the chase and should have completed an easy win. But Arshad Khan’s breathtaking final over gained them the victory as the India A players held their nerve in the middle.

See Also: Arshad Khan's last-ball run out ties IND-A vs SL-A 4th ODI — Moves to super over

Despite posting 349 runs on the board against Afghanistan A at the same venue with three 50+ scores, the blue brigade couldn’t get the win as Afghanistan A went with an aggressive approach to reach 177/2 in 25.5 overs and got over the line by four runs in the DLS method.

India A’s defeat in the super over against Sri Lanka A put them in a do-or-die situation for the rest of the series. But they slapped the Afghanistan side with 101 run win, having bundled out the opposition in for 218 runs in the 320-run chase. 

Can India A qualify for the Tri Series 2026 Final? Full qualification scenario explained

When India A came into the Tri Series 2026, many thought that it would be an easy campaign for them, leading into the final. The only question was who would be their opponents in the final of the series.

India A, thanks to the 101-run win over Afghanistan A, have qualified for the final of the Tri Series due to their strong NRR, which would be hard to be beaten by any of the opposition sides, who would face each other on June 19 at the same venue in Dambulla. 

When does India A play their next game in Tri Series 2026?

India A's next game of the tri-series will be against one of Sri Lanka A or Afghanistan A during the final on June 21 at the same ground. It's very likely to be Sri Lanka A, who are at the second position at the moment. 

See Also: Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be banned after fight with Sri Lanka A players in Tri Series 2026?

The only way Afghanistan A could qualify for the final of the Tri Series 2026 would be if they get a huge win in their last game over Sri Lanka A, which has very less chance, given how the hosts have played in the series and looked quite balanced in both the batting and bowling departments.