MUMBAI: In the wake of 15-year-old batting sensation Vibhu Suryavanshi’s involvement in a heated exchange with Vishan Halmbe, Sri Lanka A got physical on the field after beating India A in a super over in the one-day tri-series at Dambulla on Monday. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has advised the India A players to “focus on their game instead of getting distracted by any interpersonal issues.”“India A is playing a big tournament, all the upcoming players who can stake their claim for the Indian senior team are in the midst of a huge tournament, a tri-series, so they should focus on their game instead of being bothered by any interpersonal issues,” Saikia told TOI on Tuesday.“They should not focus on that, they should focus on their game and give their best so that India can come out victorious in the tri-series. That is our concern now.”Asked if he had spoken to Suryavanshi about the incident, Saikia replied, “It is not our duty to talk to the players for any reason. The players only focus on their game and the support staff and coaches with them, nothing else. So, no one interferes with their game and their strategy and their preparation for this big series, which is going on right now.” We will follow the policy that they should not get involved in any other secondary issues, which are of no importance, when they are playing for the country during a major tournament. The important thing is for India to win and do well in the tri-series. So, that is our focus and apart from that, we are not doing anything at this stage.”He repeated: “At this stage, we are focused and we are allowing our players to focus on their game, not to focus on the problems of another aspect. They should focus on their game and BCCI is with the team and their game, nothing else.After the match was tied at the end of 50 overs, the Super Over was played in dim lights. The light was getting worse as India A captain Tilak Verma was involved in an altercation with the umpires. Sri Lanka A scored 16 runs in the Super Over. In reply, India A could only manage nine as debutant Kgathis Matulan, in the mold of Mathisha Pathirana, denied Suryavanshi and Suryanesh Shedge.
A heated exchange between Suryavanshi and Halambay after the match
After the match, Halambay and Vinuja Sahan were seen exchanging words with the departing Indian batsmen, which appeared to have sparked a clash. Shidge was shown pointing his bat at Hilambay before Suryavanshi returned to exchange with the Sri Lankan player. Suryavanshi and Hlumbge were then seen shoving each other, Dakuela separated the two. Suryavanshi was also seen making gestures while exiting the field.“A Sri Lankan player abused Vibhu as he was walking off the field, but the batsman is better advised not to be distracted by sledging,” a source close to the development told this newspaper.
India unhappy with A camp Umpiring decisions
Another source said the India A camp is upset over what it alleged was some “extremely biased umpiring” by Sri Lankan umpires Rajith Rambokwela and Shantha Fonseka.“It was as if the team was playing against 13 players. Some of the on-field decisions by the match officials were highly questionable. Shadege (72 off 66 balls) was wrongly adjudged caught on the long-on boundary, as the fielder’s boot stamped the rope. Decisions on the no-ball and wide in the last over when Sri Lanka’s final over decision became doubtful,” said the source.
