The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that it will not interfere in the recent on-field altercation involving India A batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A spinner Vishen Halambage during the tri-nation series in Dambulla.
Addressing growing speculation on social media, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that disciplinary matters arising from incidents on the field are solely the responsibility of match officials and not the cricket board.
The controversy erupted following a heated exchange between Sooryavanshi and Halambage during India A’s dramatic defeat to Sri Lanka A in a Super Over encounter. Television cameras captured the young Indian batter shoving the Sri Lankan spinner before being pushed back, leading to widespread debate among fans and former players.
However, Saikia emphasized that the BCCI has neither the authority nor the intention to intervene in such matters.
“A lot of speculation is being made regarding possible action by the BCCI. These are baseless assumptions. The match referee and umpires are the competent authorities to deal with incidents that occur on the field of play,” Saikia said.
According to reports, match referee Pradeep Jayapragash has already taken action by imposing a fine on Halambage. Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who stepped in during the confrontation, was also sanctioned.
Sources indicate that tensions had been building between the two players, with Halambage allegedly engaging in verbal exchanges with Sooryavanshi during previous matches in the series as well.
The BCCI chief reiterated that stepping into the matter would create an unhealthy precedent and undermine the authority of match officials.
“The BCCI does not have any role in regulating on-field conduct during a match. If there is any breach of discipline or playing conditions, it is the responsibility of the match referee and umpires to take appropriate action. There is already a well-established system in place,” Saikia explained.
The incident occurred after India A failed to chase 18 runs in the Super Over. As Sri Lanka A celebrated their victory, emotions spilled over, resulting in the confrontation that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
While the BCCI has taken disciplinary action against players in off-field controversies in the past, including high-profile cases involving cricketers’ public conduct, the board believes this incident falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of match officials.
For now, the matter appears closed from the BCCI’s perspective, with any further action expected to come only through the match referee’s report and tournament disciplinary procedures.
The episode has once again highlighted the intense rivalry between India A and Sri Lanka A, while also bringing attention to the growing spotlight on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as he continues his development on the international stage.
