Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was involved in a heated argument that almost led to a physical confrontation with a Sri Lanka A player after an ill-tempered end to the tri-series contest, which India A lost following a Super Over.
Needing 17 runs to win in the Super Over, India managed only nine runs against slinger Kaguthas Mathulan to lose their second game in a row. Sooryavanshi, who faced the last three deliveries from Mathulan, managed only six runs, including a boundary.
Once the match concluded, the Lankan team engaged in exuberant celebrations as Sooryavanshi and his partner Suryansh Shedge were seen walking back toward the pavilion. However, TV cameras captured Sooryavanshi angrily charging toward the tall fast bowler Mathulan, with teammate Vishen Halambage stepping in between. The trigger, in all likelihood, was something the bowler said after successfully stopping the 15-year-old for three deliveries.
Sooryavanshi was seen pushing the fielder, who also attempted to charge toward him. Senior Sri Lankan international Niroshan Dickwella intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. As Sooryavanshi trudged back to the pavilion, he appeared visibly angry after India failed to chase the target under fading light.
Initially, there seemed to be no provision for a Super Over, as India A skipper Tilak Varma had a long and heated argument with the on-field umpires, who relented after 10 minutes. During that conversation between umpires and Tilak, Sooryavanshi was seen entering the discussion, but head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar pulled him back on that occasion.
It remains to be seen whether match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash will announce any official sanction or simply let the players off with a warning.
