A dramatic moment during the India A vs Sri Lanka A match in Dambulla has sparked widespread discussion but the BCCI has made it clear that young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not face any punishment.
The incident took place on Tuesday during a tense Super Over finish. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was given the difficult task of scoring 14 runs from the final three deliveries. However, he was unable to guide India A to victory. After he missed the last ball, several Sri Lankan players reportedly celebrated aggressively and exchanged words with the 15 years old batter.
Initially, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tried to walk away from the situation. However, tensions rose when his teammate Suryansh Shedge reacted to the celebrations and challenged the Sri Lankan players. The confrontation quickly escalated, drawing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back into the exchange.
During the heated moment, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pushed Sri Lankan cricketer Vishen Halambage in the chest. The two players had to be separated by senior Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella. Following the incident, the young Indian batter faced significant criticism on social media, with some fans demanding fines or even a suspension.
Despite the backlash, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the board’s focus remains on allowing players to concentrate on the tournament without distractions from off-field controversies. As a result, no disciplinary action will be taken against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Vishen Halambage has been fined by Sri Lanka Cricket for his role in the altercation. According to a leading cricket portal, match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash imposed the penalty based on the umpires’ reports without holding a formal disciplinary hearing.
The exact reason behind Vishen Halambage’s fine remains unclear. Some reports from India claimed that he had repeatedly sledged Vaibhav Sooryavanshi about his IPL performances before emotions boiled over after the Super Over.
India’s newly appointed spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutale has also backed the young opener. While describing the incident as unfortunate, Sairaj Bahutale urged people not to judge the teenager too quickly. He said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is generally calm and mature, reminded that representing India carries responsibility, and expressed confidence that the youngster would learn from the experience and avoid similar situations in the future. He also suggested that players on both the sides should be educated about proper on-field conduct.
What is your take on the BCCI’s decision?
