• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Chasing 17 runs for victory in the Super Over, India A managed just 9 against Sri Lanka's Kugathas Mathulan.
  2. The trigger appeared to be some parting words from the bowler after successfully defending the target.
  3. Under standard ICC rules, a player is only banned if they accumulate 4 demerit points within 24 months.

India A vs Sri Lanka A: 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Representing India A in the ongoing Tri-Nation A-series, the youngster has had a quiet tournament so far, registering scores of 14, 44, and 21 across his three outings. However, it was the dramatic and ill-tempered conclusion of India A's recent Super Over defeat to Sri Lanka A that landed him in a disciplinary storm.

Chasing 17 runs for victory in the Super Over, India A managed just nine against the slinging action of Sri Lanka's Kugathas Mathulan, marking their second consecutive loss. Sooryavanshi, who faced the final three deliveries of the match, could only muster six runs, failing to take his team across the line under fading light.

What Triggered The Altercation?

The tension boiled over immediately after the final ball. As the Sri Lankan side erupted into over-the-top celebrations, Sooryavanshi and his batting partner, Suryansh Shedge, began walking back to the pavilion. However, TV cameras caught an incensed Sooryavanshi charging back towards the bowler, Mathulan. The trigger appeared to be some parting words from the bowler after successfully defending the target.

ALSO READ: India A Suffer Surprise Defeat as Afghanistan A Seal Dramatic DLS Win

Sri Lankan fielder Vishen Halambage stepped in to intervene, prompting Sooryavanshi to push him, which led to a brief physical confrontation as Halambage tried to retaliate. It took the intervention of senior Sri Lankan international Niroshan Dickwella to separate the players before the situation escalated further.

This wasn't Sooryavanshi's only heated moment of the evening. Earlier, when India A captain Tilak Varma was engaged in a lengthy 10-minute argument with the umpires regarding the provision for a Super Over, a frustrated Sooryavanshi had tried to join the debate before being pulled back by head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar.

Will Sooryavanshi Face ICC Ban?

With push came shove, questions have arisen over whether the 15-year-old will face disciplinary action under Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which strictly penalises inappropriate physical contact (including deliberate or negligent bumping, shouldering, or pushing) with players or officials. While a formal ruling from match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash is still awaited, an ICC ban is highly unlikely for a few key reasons:

- The ICC typically does not govern or appoint match officials for 'A' team bilateral or tri-series; these fall under the purview of the participating home boards.

- Even if standard Level 1 Code of Conduct guidelines are applied by the match referee, the offence usually carries a maximum penalty of an official reprimand and a 50 per cent match fee fine, rather than an outright suspension.

ALSO READ: Ind-A vs SL-A: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Pushes Lanka Player Amid Heated Exchange After India's Defeat In Super Over | Watch

- Under standard ICC rules, a player is only banned if they accumulate 4 demerit points within a rolling 24-month period.

Given this is a first-time offence in a non-senior international fixture, the young left-hander will likely escape with a stern warning or a match-fee deduction.


Also In News