India A were penalised 10 runs after Vipraj Nigam twice breached the protected area of the pitch during the tri-series clash against Sri Lanka A. The visitors later suffered a dramatic Super Over defeat in Dambulla.
India ‘A’ docked 10 runs as penalty for running on the pitch against Sri Lanka ‘A’ (Credit: X/BCCI)
India A were penalised 10 runs for repeated breaches of the protected area of the pitch during their tri-series clash against Sri Lanka A, a setback that ultimately proved costly as the visitors suffered a dramatic Super Over defeat in Dambulla on Monday.
The penalty was imposed after batter Vipraj Nigam twice ran through the middle of the pitch despite receiving an earlier warning from the umpires. The sanctions handed Sri Lanka A a 10-run head start in their chase, with the hosts eventually tying the match before prevailing in a tense Super Over.
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On-field umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka enforced the penalties during the 34th and 37th overs of India’s innings. The second infringement occurred when Nigam, attempting a quick single towards short third man, was sent back by non-striker Suryansh Shedge and ran through the protected area while scrambling to make his ground.
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Having already committed a similar offence two overs earlier, Nigam’s repeat violation triggered two five-run penalties under the playing conditions, leaving Sri Lanka A to begin their chase with an additional 10 runs already on the board.
Despite the setback, Nigam played a pivotal role in India’s recovery from 143/7, scoring 51 off 49 balls, while Shedge struck a counter-attacking 72 from 66 deliveries. The duo combined for a crucial 104-run partnership for the eighth wicket to help India A post 265.
Sri Lanka A themselves conceded five penalty runs earlier in the innings when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella failed to gather a wide delivery, with the ball deflecting onto the helmet placed behind him.
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s wait for a maiden India A half-century also continued. The 15-year-old raced to 21 off just 14 balls with a flurry of boundaries before being dismissed by Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige.
Also Read: Sri Lanka A edge India A in Super Over thriller amid dramatic finish in tri-series clash
India A’s total was eventually matched by Sri Lanka A, forcing the contest into a Super Over. However, Kugathas Mathulan defended 16 runs in the one-over eliminator to seal a seven-run victory for the hosts, handing India A their second consecutive defeat in the tri-series.
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