NEW DELHI: The India A-Sri Lanka A clash in the Tri-Nation A Series in Dambulla had everything – a thrilling chase, a controversial finish, heated arguments with umpires, a Super Over and an angry exchange involving teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.What started as a routine group-stage fixture turned into one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. With fading light, disputed decisions and emotions running high, players, umpires and team officials were involved in several tense moments before Sri Lanka A eventually emerged victorious.At the centre of the drama was 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, who was seen first joining discussions with the umpires, then trying to pull captain Tilak Varma away from an argument and later getting involved in a heated exchange with Sri Lankan players after India’s defeat.
India A vs Sri Lanka Super Over drama in Dambulla: How it unfolded
India A recover from trouble
Batting first, India A got off to another brisk start through Sooryavanshi, who struck 21 off 14 balls with a six and two boundaries before being dismissed.Tilak Varma (23) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (32) added 52 runs for the third wicket, but Sri Lanka A’s spinners triggered a collapse. India A slipped from 91/2 to 143/7 before Suryansh Shedge (72 off 66) and Vipraj Nigam (51 off 49) rescued the innings with a crucial 104-run partnership for the eighth wicket.India A were eventually bowled out for 265 in 49.2 overs.
Samarawickrama takes Sri Lanka A close
Sri Lanka A looked set for victory thanks to Sadeera Samarawickrama’s excellent 93. The hosts needed only five runs from the final over with wickets in hand.But left-arm pacer Arshad Khan produced a superb over full of yorkers, conceding just four runs and forcing the match into a dramatic final-ball finish.
The controversy begins
On the last ball of the innings, Chamika Gunasekara was struck on the pad and completed a run before being run out while attempting a second.The run levelled the scores, but Tilak Varma immediately questioned whether the run should have counted. India A argued that Gunasekara had not offered a shot and therefore the leg-bye should not have been awarded.What followed was a lengthy discussion involving the umpires, players and team officials as fading light added another layer of uncertainty.
Tilak argues, Sooryavanshi intervenes
As Tilak continued his discussions with the umpires near the boundary ropes, Sooryavanshi also entered the conversation.In a video that later went viral on social media, the teenager was seen joining the debate before India A head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar pulled him away from the officials.Moments later, Sooryavanshi appeared to urge Tilak to move away from the umpires as the India A captain continued to press his case.After several minutes of deliberation, the umpires ruled that the match was tied and would be decided through a Super Over.
More drama in the Super Over
With floodlights unavailable for the tournament and visibility worsening, concerns remained over whether there was enough light to complete the contest.Sri Lanka A batted first in the Super Over and scored 16 runs off Arshad Khan’s over. India A were unhappy with a wide and a no-ball call during the over, leading to further discussions with the officials.The no-ball proved especially costly as it allowed Sri Lanka A to push their total to 16.
Sooryavanshi’s challenge falls short
Chasing 17 to win, India A sent out Sooryavanshi and Suryansh Shedge.However, Sri Lanka pacer Kugathas Mathulan kept his composure brilliantly under pressure. The slingy fast bowler restricted the pair throughout the over and conceded only nine runs.Sooryavanshi faced the final three deliveries but could not find the big hits India desperately needed as Sri Lanka A completed a memorable victory.
Tempers flare after the finish
The drama did not end with the final ball.As Sri Lanka A celebrated wildly, Sooryavanshi appeared visibly frustrated. Television cameras showed the teenager exchanging words with Sri Lankan players before briefly pushing one of them.Players from both sides quickly stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating further, with senior Sri Lanka cricketer Niroshan Dickwella among those helping calm tempers.For India A, it was a second defeat in the tournament.
