'What He Did Was.. ' — Ravichandran Ashwin backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after heated altercation with Sri Lanka A players in Tri-Nation 2026

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come out in support of young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following his heated exchange with Sri Lanka A players after India's dramatic Super Over defeat in the Tri-Nation A Series 2026 in Dambulla.

The incident sparked plenty of debate on social media, but Ashwin believes the 15-year-old was not at fault and was reacting to comments directed at him by Sri Lankan players after the match.

'If someone throws a stone, expect a response' — Ashwin defends Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and calls out Sri Lanka A players

Speaking about the incident, Ashwin strongly defended Sooryavanshi and questioned the behaviour of some Sri Lanka A players.

"Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not at fault here at all. After India A lost the match, Vaibhav Suryavanshi was walking alone by himself. That is clearly visible in the video. However, the Sri Lankan players said various things to him from the side and began abusing him. Only after that did the altercation begin."

See Also: Watch: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi touches Sri Lanka's first ODI captain Anura Tennekoon's feet in a heartwarming gesture

Ashwin further added, "Since Vaibhav Suryavanshi had done nothing wrong, whatever he did in response was justified. The Sri Lankan players should have shown more restraint. But if someone throws a stone, they should expect a response in return. What Vaibhav Suryavanshi did was absolutely right."

The former India off-spinner's comments have added another layer to the controversy, with many fans divided over what exactly happened after the match.

What really happened? — How Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A players got into a heated argument after the match

The controversy started after India A were lost in the Super Over and the Sri Lanka A players began celebrating the win. Television footage showed a visibly frustrated Sooryavanshi walking past the Sri Lankan players. During the celebrations, a few words appeared to be exchanged between the youngster and some members of the Sri Lanka A side.

Reports suggested that comments directed at the 15-year-old triggered the argument. Sooryavanshi was then seen exchanging words with Sri Lankan players before teammates stepped in to calm the situation. Suryansh Shedge was also seen pulling the youngster away as tensions briefly escalated on the field. The exact reason behind the argument is still not known, but both teams later shook hands and the situation calmed down.

Watch the heated argument between India A and Sri Lanka A players

The incident happened after a tense finish to the match, with confusion over whether the Super Over would be played due to bad light and a controversial no-ball decision during Sri Lanka A's Super Over. Indian A captain Tilak Varma was seen having multiple discussion with the match officials in the final moments of the match as confusion and frustration grew on both sides.

Sri Lanka A beat India A in super over — The dramatic win that sparked the post-match controversy

Before the controversy, fans saw one of the most exciting games of the tournament. Batting first, India A were in trouble at 148/7 and then Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam saved the innings with a brilliant 104-run stand. Shedge scored 72 off 66 balls, while Nigam added 51 from 49 deliveries to help India A reach 265.

Sri Lanka A looked on course for victory thanks to Sadeera Samarawickrama's excellent 93. However, India A pacer Arshad Khan bowled a superb final over, conceding only four runs when the hosts needed five to win, forcing the match into a Super Over.

See Also: Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be banned after fight with Sri Lanka A players in Tri Series 2026?

The drama continued in the tie-breaker. Sri Lanka A posted 16 runs, helped by a six from Avishka Fernando and a controversial no-ball call on the final delivery. Chasing 17 for victory, India A sent Sooryavanshi and Shedge to bat. But Sri Lanka A bowler Kugathas Mathulan produced a brilliant Super Over, restricting India A out for just 11 runs to give the hosts a memorable win.

The win took Sri Lanka A to the top of the points table and was also sweet revenge for an eight-run loss to India A earlier in the tournament. India A will be looking to regain their momentum when they take on Afghanistan A in their last league-stage game on June 17.