BCCI breaks silence on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fight in Sri Lanka — No punishment, 'Concentrate on the Tournament'

BCCI backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his Sri Lanka altercation, choosing support over sanctions. The board has urged the 15-year-old to stay focused on the tri-series and avoid distractions.

Avijit Das
Avijit Das

5 mins read
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi involved in on-field fight against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla Tri-Series — BCCI Secretary rules out punishment
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)has finally broken its silence on the physical altercation involving teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the India A vs Sri Lanka A match in the ongoing Tri-Nation series in Dambulla. The incident, which took place after India A's dramatic Super Over defeat on June 16, sparked widespread discussion and raised questions about whether the young opener would face disciplinary action.

Addressing the matter, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has no plans to punish Sooryavanshi for his heated exchange with Sri Lankan cricketer Vishen Halambage. Despite the attention surrounding the incident and speculation over a possible breach of the game's code of conduct, the Indian cricket board has chosen not to take any action against the 15-year-old batter.

Instead, the BCCI has advised Sooryavanshi to keep his focus on cricket and the remainder of the tournament. "Concentrate on the tournament" has been the board's message to the youngster, with officials preferring to back the talented batter rather than impose sanctions. The decision reflects the board's belief that the matter should not overshadow India's campaign in the Tri-Nation series or the promising youngster's development.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rules out any action against 15-year-old after Sri Lanka A brawl

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has put an end to speculation surrounding possible disciplinary action against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following his altercation with Sri Lanka A cricketer Vishen Halambage in Dambulla. Despite the incident drawing significant attention, the Indian cricket board has decided not to penalise the 15-year-old batting prodigy.

Addressing the controversy, Saikia made it clear that the BCCI's priority is to ensure that players remain focused on their cricket rather than external distractions. "We will let our players concentrate on the tournament, and they should not be distracted by any collateral issues. The BCCI is with the team and their game," Saikia told Cricbuzz.

Sooryavanshi arrived in Sri Lanka on the back of an impressive IPL campaign and was expected to carry that form into the India A tri-series. However, the youngster has found it difficult to convert starts into big scores, registering innings of 14, 44 and 21 in his first three matches.

See also -Watch: Vaibhav Suryavanshi dismissed for 38 — India A start strongly vs Afghanistan A in Tri Series 2026

Meanwhile, Halambage has reportedly been fined by Sri Lanka Cricket for his involvement in the post-match confrontation. According to Cricbuzz, match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash imposed the sanction based on the umpires' reports, without conducting a formal disciplinary hearing.

What Triggered Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Heated Clash?

The controversy erupted after India A's heartbreaking Super Over defeat to Sri Lanka A in Dambulla. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was tasked with scoring 14 runs from the final three deliveries but failed to pull off the chase. According to reports, several Sri Lankan players celebrated aggressively and directed verbal taunts at the 15-year-old after he missed the decisive last ball. While Sooryavanshi initially chose to walk away, tensions escalated when teammate Suryansh Shedge turned back to challenge the celebrations, drawing the young opener into the heated exchange.

See also -Why did SL-A cricketer Vishen Halambage's Instagram vanish after the Sooryavanshi fight?

The situation quickly spiralled into a confrontation, with Sooryavanshi shoving Vishen Halambage in the chest before players stepped in to restore order. Senior Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella was among those who intervened to separate the pair and prevent the altercation from escalating further. The incident triggered a strong reaction on social media, where many fans called for disciplinary action against the teenager. However, the BCCI has since backed Sooryavanshi, opting against any punishment and urging him to remain focused on the remainder of the tournament.

"Vaibhav is a composed kid" — India's Spin Coach Bahutule defends Sooryavanshi, slams Sri Lanka A's behaviour

India's spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has come out in support of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following the altercation during the India A vs Sri Lanka A match in Dambulla. While acknowledging that the incident was unfortunate, Bahutule urged people not to rush to judgment and insisted that the 15-year-old is normally a calm and composed individual. He also suggested that Sri Lanka A's players should be educated on maintaining proper on-field conduct during competitive matches.

Speaking in Lucknow ahead of India's third ODI against Afghanistan, Bahutule described Sooryavanshi as a well-behaved youngster who has shown maturity throughout his rise in the game. Having worked closely with the teenage batter at various age-group levels, the coach said the incident was out of character and likely the result of intense provocation on the field.

Bahutule stressed that representing India comes with responsibility but expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi would learn from the episode and emerge stronger, while also calling on the host team's management to ensure their young players uphold professional standards during moments of victory.

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Sports run in my veins and stories fuel my pen. With over 3 years in journalism — including stints at Sportskeeda, Cricreads, and Athlete Fortune — I’ve lived every word I’ve written. A Madrista at heart and a CR7 devotee, I fell in love with cricket because of one man — Virat Kohli. His passion for the game taught me to see cricket beyond the numbers. Currently writing for Cricket Winner, I cover match analyses, player stories, stats-based features, and cricket news updates. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me glued to tennis courts or boxing rings, living the sport from every angle.
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