Sri Lanka A's skipper Sahan Arachchige has played down the claims of his team targeting the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka. Reflecting on the heated exchange between Vishen Halambage and the teen-sensation in the last clash, Arachchige claimed that such incidents are normal at the top-level cricket and were simply the outcome of the game which led to the heated clash.
Sri Lanka A players targeting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Sri Lanka A will lock horns against the Tilak Varma-led side in the final of the tri-series on Sunday, June 21. The last game between the two sides in the group stage went down to the Super Over. With 14 runs needed from the final three balls of the match, Sooryavanshi could not guide India A over the finish line. After the defeat, the young batter was subjected to physical altercation from a few Sri Lankan players on the ground.
ALSO READ: Ex-India wicketkeeper-batter relocates to Dubai, ILT20 opportunity on cards
While the left-handed opener chose to walk away from the confrontation, the situation took the wrong turn after his batting partner Suryansh Shedge exchanged words with the Sri Lankan players. Amid the heated scenes, the 15-year-old was involved in a physical altercation with Vishen Halambage. Sri Lanka cricket later slapped a fine on Halambage for being the central figure in the incident, while reports claim that an apology to Sooryavanshi was being considered but never took place.
On the other hand, the BCCI has opted not to take any disciplinary action against the young left-handed opener from Bihar.
The Sri Lanka A skipper told Sportstar that his teammates are not trying to get under Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as the physical altercation after the conclusion of last game was an outcome of emotions flowing all over the place because of a high-voltage clash.
While continuing further, Sri Lanka skipper opened up on the team's performance ahead of the final of the tri-series against India. “With the batting, there is no issue. "And with the bowling, every fast bowler and spinner is doing very well. I think we are in good shape," said Sahan Arachchige.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's underwhelming form in the tri-series
In the ongoing Tri-Nation A series in Dambulla, the star Rajasthan Royals (RR) batter has endured a quiet and testing individual campaign by his benchmarks, amassing only 118 runs across four outings at an average of 29.50.
However, the left-handed opener has managed to give India A quick starts with an attacking strike rate of 153.94, but has struggled with his shot selections, failing to convert his explosive starts into a big knock.