Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Controversy: Sri Lanka’s Vishen Halambage A faces sanctions after altercation with Dambulla

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi against Sri Lanka A players NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka Cricket has reportedly punished some players involved in the heated scenes that followed the India A vs Sri Lanka A tri-series match in Dambulla. The match ended in dramatic fashion with Sri Lanka A winning the Super Over after both teams scored 265, but the post-match altercation between India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A’s Vishen Halambage grabbed attention.According to a report from Cricbuzz, match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash gave Halambage a clean sheet, while wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella was also fined for a separate offense deemed too appealing. It remains unclear whether Sooryavanshi, who was seen pushing Halambage outside the ward, faced any punishment. Reports claimed that no official hearing was held and that the sanctions were based on referees’ reports.

Bahutule supports Sooryavanshi

India’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule defended the 15-year-old batsman, saying he was surprised by the incident due to the youngster’s calm nature.“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 guy but I’m sure there are experienced coaches there to guide him,” Bahutule said ahead of India’s match against Afghanistan.“The Sri Lankan players should also be taught how to behave,” added Bahutule.

‘They will learn’

Bahutule, who has worked closely with Sooryavanshi at the youth level and with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, believes the teenager will learn a lesson from the episode.“He will learn, he is a young lad with a big responsibility to represent India. I am sure he will not repeat this and such incidents can be avoided,” said the former Mumbai captain.

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The confrontation came after India’s Super Over defeat, with television footage showing an agitated Sooryavanshi pushing Halambage before Dickwella stepped in to calm things down.