Action against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi? BCCI, Team India play down Dambulla controversy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the national team management rallied firmly behind teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following a heated post-match spat in Dambulla. While the 15-year-old opener faced considerable criticism from pundits for his physical reaction, BCCI administrators and coaches were quick to play down the controversy and shift the focus entirely back to cricket.

The flashpoint came immediately after India A suffered a tense Super Over defeat against Sri Lanka A in the Tri-Nation A Series. After the dramatic finish, television footage showed Sooryavanshi reacting aggressively to a verbal provocation by Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage. The host batsman reportedly taunted the youngster by yelling, “End of match, now go home”. The exchange quickly escalated, culminating in Sooryavanshi physically pushing Halambaga before teammates and senior players intervened to separate the pair.

The teenager’s actions drew immediate criticism on social media and from mainstream commentators, many of whom argued that physical contact on the cricket pitch crossed an acceptable line. However, Indian cricket’s institutional response has been one of protective support rather than public admonishment.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia refused to condemn the young player and instead chose to call the whole episode a minor distraction. Saikia emphasized that the governing body’s sole priority remains the team’s ultimate success on the tour and said the management will not allow external noise to derail the team.

“We will let our players focus on the tournament and they should not be distracted by any side issues,” Saikia told Sportstar.

Also read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ignored Virat’s advice. Virat spent years ignoring it

This sentiment was strongly echoed by newly appointed national spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, the first formal response from the senior team in India. The show of faith is particularly significant with Sooryavanshi set to join the senior squad later this month and in July for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England in the UK.

‘SRI LANKA PLAYERS SHOULD BE EDUCATED HOW TO BEHAVE’

On the eve of India’s second One Day International against Afghanistan in Lucknow, Bahutule expressed complete confidence in the teenager’s character and turned the spotlight back on the host nation’s behaviour.

“It was an unfortunate incident but we don’t know how it was provoked because I know him and Vaibhav is a very level headed boy but I am sure there are experienced coaches to guide him,” Bahutule said.

The former Mumbai skipper, who has worked closely with Sooryavanshi at the age-group level in various India Under-19 squads and at the BCCI Center of Excellence, went a step further to suggest that the fault lay in the net.

“The Sri Lankan players should also be taught how to behave,” added Bahutule. “He will learn, he is a young lad with a lot of responsibility to represent India. I am sure he will not repeat this and such incidents can be avoided.”

Bahutula’s understanding of a young batsman’s temperament stems from a long-term developmental relationship. In addition to coaching him through the track systems, Bahutule served as the spin-bowling coach for Rajasthan Royals during the 2025 Indian Premier League season, the exact period in which Sooryavanshi made his debut in the tournament for the first time.

Sooryavanshi will be in the limelight once again when India A take on Afghanistan A in Dambulla on Wednesday 17 June in a must-win tri-series encounter. The left-handed opener is yet to start the tournament as he has compiled just 79 runs in his three innings so far. However, the Indian management will be desperate for the reigning IPL Orange Cap winners to find their form against Afghanistan A to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.

The qualifying race remains even. Sri Lanka A are currently on top of the points table with two wins from three matches, while India A are second with just one win from their three outings. Afghanistan A are close behind with one win from two matches. Their only win came against India A last week in Dambulla.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

16 Jun 2026 18:59 IST