Sri Lanka A denies targeting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after heated India A clash

India A and Sri Lanka A are set for a high-voltage clash in the Tri-Nation A series final on Sunday, with all eyes on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the heated controversy during their previous meeting.

The last group-stage encounter between the two sides ended with Sri Lanka A winning in the Super Over, but the match also grabbed attention after a heated exchange between Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage. The 15-year-old Indian batter was seen pushing Halambage during the altercation.

Following the incident, reports suggested that Halambage had allegedly been provoking Sooryavanshi throughout the tournament, with Cricbuzz reporting that the Sri Lankan player had told the youngster, “Go home, this is not the IPL,” or words to that effect.

However, ahead of the final, Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige dismissed claims that his team was targeting Sooryavanshi, saying the incident was simply a result of emotions boiling over in a close game.

“The boys are not targeting anyone. They are just enjoying themselves. In a close game like a Super Over, emotions come out. That’s normal,” Arachchige told Sportstar.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar had earlier criticised the youngster’s reaction, saying he would have dropped Sooryavanshi for the next match if he were part of the India A management as a disciplinary lesson.

What happened during the clash?

After Sri Lanka A won the Super Over, Halambage allegedly approached Sooryavanshi and also moved towards another India A batter, Suryansh Shedge. Sooryavanshi then reacted before Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella stepped in to calm the situation.

India A reached the final after defeating Afghanistan A by 101 runs on June 17, while Sri Lanka A secured their place after beating Afghanistan.

After Sunday’s final, Sooryavanshi and India A captain Tilak Varma are set to travel to Belfast for India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland.

Sooryavanshi could create history by becoming the youngest player to represent India’s senior men’s team. Earlier, he became the youngest cricketer ever picked in an India squad, surpassing the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar.