Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was involved in a heated exchange that got physical against Sri Lanka A. Here’s what exactly happened.
What triggered the heated exchange between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A?
The eventful ‘ODI’ between India A and Sri Lanka A on June 15 in Dambulla ended with Sooryavanshi getting into a tussle with Sri Lanka A players after the visitors lost the super over in Dambulla. Earlier in the day, 15 penalty runs were awarded by the umpires, with Sri Lanka A starting their chase at 10-0 before the match finished in a tie, and India A getting five extra runs after a ball hit the Sri Lanka keeper's helmet.
After Sri Lanka scored 265-9 in 50 overs - the same score as India A - there was an extended, animated discussion between India A captain Tilak Varma and the on-field umpires, following which it was decided that the game would go into a super over, even as the light was fading quickly. The hosts batted first in the tie-breaker, scored 16 and stopped India A on nine.
But just as batters Sooryavanshi and Suryansh Shedge were walking back, a heated exchange between the India duo and the hosts ensued, with the 15-year-old proceeding to push Vishen Halambage, who pushed back, before Niroshan Dickwella separated the two. As per Cricbuzz, Halambage directed a taunt at Sooryavanshi, effectively saying, "Go home, this is not the IPL," prompting the much-debated reaction from Sooryavanshi.
The report adds that Halambage had been sledging the teenager since the two sides’ first encounter of the tri-series, which also includes Afghanistan A. The sledging continued in the second game, culminating in an ugly spat between the two.
India men's bowling coach jumps in defence of 'composed' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
India senior men's spin-bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, opened up about the incident during the press conference ahead of their second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow. He defended Sooryavanshi, saying he was a 'composed boy', while stating that a provocation from the Sri Lanka A side could have played a role in the episode.
“I think it was an unfortunate incident, but we don’t know how it was provoked. The way I know Vaibhav, he is a very composed boy,” Bahutule said. “There are experienced coaches around him who will explain it to him. We will make sure that information is given to him as to why that happened. But he will learn. He is a young kid with a lot of responsibilities and is obviously representing India. I think some sort of understanding will be there, and I’m sure he will not repeat it."
“Sri Lankan players should also be educated in terms of how we need to behave, and so it goes with us. Such incidents can be avoided,” he added.
After impressing in the recent IPL, Sooryavanshi has not had the greatest outing on tour, making 14, 44 and 21 runs in three innings thus far.
Also read: Wisden Cricket Monthly issue 98 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: How one kid's genius is changing the game
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