Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar opened up about the on-field controversy involving young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi during the Tri-Nation A series. Manjrekar criticized Suryavanshi’s actions and said that the team management should take steps to ensure that the incident becomes a learning experience for the young batsman.
The incident happened when Sri Lanka A defeated India A in the Super Over. Vishen Halambaj exchanged words with Suryavanshi during the ceremony. The verbal exchange quickly escalated, with Suryavanshi seen pushing the Sri Lankan player before teammates and officials stepped in to defuse the situation.
I would have left Vaibhav Suryavanshi out for this game – Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar said that regardless of provocation, there is no place for physical confrontation in professional cricket. Manjrekar said that as a disciplinary measure, he would have dropped Vaibhav Suryavanshi from India A’s match against Afghanistan A.
“If I were the coach or manager of India A, I would have expelled Vaibhav Suryavanshi from this match against AFG. Just to tell him that it is not okay to have physical relations on the field, whatever the provocation.”
If I were the coach or manager of India A, I would have dropped Vaibhav Suryavanshi from this match against AFG. Just to let him know that it is not okay to have physical relations on the field. Whatever may be the provocation.
– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 17, 2026
Manjrekar made the comments ahead of India A’s match against Afghanistan A in Dambulla on Wednesday, June 17.
BCCI decided not to take action against Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Despite demands for disciplinary action, BCCI has decided not to punish Suryavanshi. Speaking to Sportstar, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia said that the board wants players to remain focused on the ongoing tournament rather than getting distracted by off-field controversies.
“We will let our players focus on the tournament and not be distracted by any additional issues.”
The confrontation required the intervention of Niroshan Dickwella, who stepped in to separate the two players after tensions rose following Sri Lanka A’s Super Over victory. The incident immediately became a major talking point in the tournament.
India A are currently second in the triangular A series with two points, while Sri Lanka A top the table with four points. As a result, India A will have to win the match against Afghanistan A at all costs to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi fails to convert another start against Afghanistan A
Vaibhav Suryavanshi endured another disappointing performance with the bat during India A’s crucial match against Afghanistan A. The young opener survived being dismissed for a duck and was later fielded, but failed to take advantage of the opportunity. He was out after scoring 38 runs in 28 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes.
Despite getting a start in the Tri-Nation A series, he has been unable to convert them into big scores. He recorded scores of 14, 44, 21, 38, and 39, while the youngster is still in search of his first half-century in the competition.
Suryavanshi recently made it to India’s senior T20 squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and England. With the selection, he broke Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record and became the youngest player selected in India’s senior men’s team.
The call-up comes after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign. Suryavanshi scored 776 runs in 16 matches at an excellent strike rate of 237.31. His performance earned him several awards and established him as one of the biggest breakout stars of the season.