BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed speculation of possible action against teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following his heated altercation with Sri Lanka A cricketer Vishen Halambage during a recent Tri-Nations A series match, insisting that the Indian board has no role in matters that fall within the purview of match officials.The incident took place after Halambage allegedly made provocative remarks during Sri Lanka A’s Super Over win over India A. The trouble flared when the Sri Lankan player approached the 15-year-old batsman, prompting Sooryavanshi to push him away during the exchange. Responding to widespread chatter on social media about the possible BCCI Saikia expressed surprise at the speculations.“A lot of things are happening on social media that BCCI is thinking about action, etc. Do you want BCCI to step into the domain of match referee?” Saikia countered, speaking to news agency PTI.
‘BCCI has no role’
The BCCI secretary pointed out that on-field disciplinary matters are handled by authorized officials and that the board will not interfere with the established process.“BCCI is not an authority, we should not enter the space where the match referee and umpires are the main persons who can take any decision regarding any incident that happened on the field,” Saikia said.“Whatever happened, it was a part of the game and BCCI has no role. The match referee’s role. If something goes wrong, he will take the call, the umpires will take the call and there is a system,” added Saikia, who is also an eminent lawyer.
Sri Lankan players punished after ugly scenes
Meanwhile, according to a PTI report, Halambage and the senior wicketkeeper were fined by Sri Lankan-appointed match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash Niroshan Dickwella for separate fouls arising from the match.The report said that Halambage was booked for provocative comments directed at the Indian batsmen after Sri Lanka’s Super Over triumph, while Dickwella, who tried to prevent the conflict from escalating, was booked for excessive attraction.The exact nature of the fines remains unclear and there has been no official confirmation as to whether the Indian players, including Sooryavanshi and the captain Tilak Varmareceived warnings or disciplinary measures.The flashpoint came after both teams finished on 265, forcing a Super Over. Chasing 17, India A managed just nine runs with Sooryavanshi scoring six off the last three deliveries bowled by left-arm pacer Kugathas Mathulan.
