India A vs Sri Lanka A: 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 have firmly rallied behind teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following a heated post-match altercation in Dambulla. While the 15-year-old opener has faced significant criticism from pundits for his physical reaction, BCCI administrators and coaches have moved swiftly to play down the controversy, shifting the focus entirely back to cricket.

The flashpoint occurred immediately after India A suffered a tense Super Over defeat against Sri Lanka A in the Tri-Nation A Series. In the aftermath of a dramatic finish, television footage showed Sooryavanshi reacting aggressively to a verbal provocation from Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage. The host batsman allegedly taunted the youngster by shouting, “Match over, now you go home”. The exchange quickly escalated, culminating in Sooryavanshi physically shoving Halambage before teammates and senior players intervened to separate the pair.

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

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia refused to condemn the young player, choosing instead to label the entire episode as a minor distraction. Saikia emphasized that the governing body’s sole priority remains the team’s ultimate success on the tour, stating that the board would not allow exterior noise to derail the squad.

“We will let our players concentrate on the tournament, and they should not be distracted by any collateral issues,” Saikia told the SportStar.

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The sentiment was strongly echoed by newly appointed national spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, marking the first formal reaction from the senior India setup. The show of faith is particularly significant given that Sooryavanshi is scheduled to join the senior squad later this month and in July for the forthcoming T20I series against Ireland and England in the United Kingdom.

‘SRI LANKAN PLAYERS SHOULD BE EDUCATED ON HOW TO BEHAVE’

Speaking on the eve of India’s second One-Day International against Afghanistan in Lucknow, Bahutule expressed complete confidence in the teenager’s character while turning the spotlight back on the host nation’s conduct.

“It was an unfortunate incident, but we don’t know how he was provoked because I know him and Vaibhav is a very composed kid but I’m sure there are experienced coaches there who will guide him,” Bahutule said.

The former Mumbai skipper, who has worked closely with Sooryavanshi at age-group level within various India Under-19 setups and at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, went a step further by suggesting the fault lay across the netting.

“Sri Lankan players should also be educated on how to behave,” Bahutule added. “He will learn, he is a young kid with a lot of responsibility of representing India. I’m sure he will not repeat it and such incidents can be avoided.”

Bahutule’s understanding of the young batter’s temperament stems from a long-standing developmental relationship. Aside from coaching him through the pathway 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 initial, headline-grabbing debut in the tournament.

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

The qualification race remains finely balanced. Sri Lanka A currently top the points table with two victories from three matches, whilst India A occupy second place with a single win from their three outings. Afghanistan A sit closely behind with one victory from their two fixtures. Their only win came against India A last week in Dambulla.

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