Everything seemed finished when Sri Lanka A squeezed past India A in a Super Over in Dambulla on Monday evening, yet the real talking-point turned out to be the brief scuffle that followed the handshakes. India A batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A all-rounder Vishen Halambage shoved one another near the pavilion gate, forcing keeper-captain Niroshan Dickwella to step in and separate them.
Sri Lanka A had posted 16 in the one-over shoot-out – a tidy effort on a slowing surface – before rookie quick Kugathas Mathulan, whose low-slinging action brings Matheesha Pathirana to mind, limited India A to nine. With that the hosts banked two points and, for the moment at least, top spot in the tri-series.
How it boiled over
Television replays showed Halambage and Wanuja Sahan mouthing a few parting words as India’s batters trudged off in poor light. Suryansh Shedge responded by pointing his bat; Sooryavanshi turned back; a bit of shoulder-barging followed. “That’s when I ran across,” Dickwella later told host broadcaster Siyatha TV, “because nobody wants this stuff to carry on.”
High-stakes final half-hour
The closing stages of the regular 50 overs were already edgy. Sri Lanka A needed five from the last over; left-arm seamer Arshad Khan conceded only four. With the scores level, the umpires looked reluctant to start a Super Over in fading light – sunset in Dambulla was at 6.25 pm – yet India A skipper Tilak Varma argued that the regulations allowed play to continue. “We’re happy to go ahead,” he was heard saying on the stump mic. The Sri Lankan camp agreed and, after a brief delay, out came the pads again at 6.17 pm.
No-ball drama
Even the tiebreaker refused to run straight. Arshad’s final ball, a high full toss, was slapped to mid-off where it was held – seemingly ending the innings – but TV umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri reviewed height and called a no-ball. India’s fielders had already crossed the rope and had to be summoned back to deliver the extra ball, which Avishka Fernando dragged for a scrambling two.
Penalty runs hurt India A
Earlier, on-field officials Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka twice warned left-arm spinner Vipraj Nigam for treading down the so-called danger area – the protected strip just in front of a bowler’s landing zone. A third infringement in the 37th over cost India A ten penalty runs, so Sri Lanka A began their chase on 10 for 0 before facing a ball. “Small margins decide these A-team games,” former Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha noted on commentary.
Table situation
Three matches in, Sri Lanka A have four points (two wins, one defeat). India A and Afghanistan A sit on two apiece, though India have played an extra game, so their net run-rate took a dent they could have done without.
Light, laws and common sense
The post-match chatter revolved less around the shove than the timing of the Super Over. The playing conditions list 5.30 pm as the cut-off, but officials may extend if they consider light still “fit for purpose”. Monday’s extension pushed the envelope, particularly once the no-ball review prolonged matters. Nobody, though, wanted a reserve-day headache.
What next?
The sides meet again on Thursday. India A are expected to review their bowling options – Arshad’s death-over skills looked promising despite the high full toss – while Sri Lanka A will keep an eye on Mathulan’s workload after two intense finishes in three days.
For all the needle, neither dressing-room is thought to be pursuing formal disciplinary action. As Dickwella put it, “Emotions spill in close games, you shake hands later.” If only it had ended that simply on the night.
