All eyes will be on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi again when India A take on Sri Lanka A in Sunday’s Tri-Nation A Series final. But it’s not just about his batting this time. Their last clash got messy, with players getting involved in an altercation.
Sri Lanka A won in a Super Over, then things spilled over after the game. Sooryavanshi and Vishen Halambage had a heated argument during handshakes, and the 15-year-old even looked like he shoved him. That moment blew up because reports said Vaibhav had copped constant verbal jibes all tournament. So Sunday’s final has a bit more edge to it now.
Sri Lanka A skipper rejects claims of targeting Sooryavanshi
Ahead of Sunday’s final, Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige has denied allegations that his team deliberately targeted the young Indian batter.
“The boys are not targeting anyone or anything. They are just enjoying themselves. In a close game like a Super Over, emotions come out. That’s normal,” Arachchige told Sportstar. “There are a lot of experienced players in this team. They know what to do, and they know how to play.”
Arachchige’s comments come after reports claimed that Sooryavanshi had been on the receiving end of persistent sledging during the tournament. One report suggested a Sri Lankan player even told him, “Go home, this is not the IPL,” during the group-stage encounter. While those claims remain unverified, we know that one hand can’t clap.
Drama in Dambulla leaves final with extra spice
The controversy took place after a thrilling contest in Dambulla. India A looked out of the game before Arshad Khan produced a remarkable final over to force a tie. What followed was another round of drama as India A captain Tilak Varma argued with the umpires over fading light and whether a Super Over should take place.
The match eventually went ahead, with Sri Lanka A defending 10 runs in the one-over shootout to seal victory.
However, the cricket was soon overshadowed by the confrontation involving Sooryavanshi and a Sri Lankan player during the post-match handshakes. There was a huge furore, with former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar even suggesting the youngster should have been dropped for a game as a disciplinary measure.
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