India A docked 10 runs for pitch violation against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla
Synopsis
India A gifted Sri Lanka A a 10-run head start in Dambulla after Vipraj Nigam twice ran on the protected pitch area — a rare disciplinary double-penalty in List A cricket. Yet Nigam himself then top-scored with 51, and Suryansh Shedge blazed 72, turning a precarious 143 for 7 into a competitive 265 in a match that had something of everything.
Key Takeaways
India A were penalised 10 runs (two five-run penalties) for Vipraj Nigam twice running on the protected pitch area at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on 15 June .
Umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka imposed the sanctions in the 34th and 37th overs .
Nigam (51 off 49) and Suryansh Shedge (72 off 66) shared a 104-run eighth-wicket stand to rescue India A from 143 for 7 to 265 .
Sri Lanka A also conceded five penalty runs in the 16th over when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella allowed a wide to deflect onto the helmet behind the stumps.
Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi , 15 , was dismissed for 21 off 14 balls , his maiden India A fifty still pending.
India A were penalised 10 runs during their 50-over tri-series match against Sri Lanka A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Monday, 15 June, after batter Vipraj Nigam twice ran through the protected area of the pitch in defiance of prior warnings. The dual infringement left on-field umpires with no option but to impose back-to-back five-run penalties, gifting Sri Lanka A a 10-run head start in their chase.
How the Penalties Unfolded
On-field umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka enforced the sanctions midway through the 34th and 37th overs. The second and decisive infringement came when Nigam, attempting a single towards short third man, was sent back by non-striker Suryansh Shedge. In his scramble to recover his ground, Nigam ran directly over the centre of the pitch — an offence he had already committed two overs earlier. The repeat violation triggered the mandatory penalty, meaning Sri Lanka A began their reply with 10 runs already on the board.
Nigam and Shedge Rescue India A
Despite the disciplinary setback, Nigam turned in a vital innings, scoring 51 off 49 balls. Shedge was even more destructive, striking 72 from 66 deliveries. The pair combined for a 104-run eighth-wicket partnership after India A had collapsed to a precarious 143 for 7, ultimately lifting the side to a competitive total of 265.
Sri Lanka A Also Penalised Earlier
Notably, Sri Lanka A were not without their own disciplinary blemish. In the 16th over, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella failed to collect a wide delivery, the ball deflecting onto the helmet placed behind the stumps — resulting in a five-run penalty conceded by the hosts' side.
Sooryavanshi's Wait Continues
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15 years old, was dismissed for a brisk 21 off 14 balls, his maiden half-century for India A remaining elusive. He had raced away with boundaries off Mohammed Shiraz and Chamika Gunasekara before being undone by Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige, who brought himself on in the fourth over. Sooryavanshi attempted a lofted drive and sliced to point, ending a promising cameo prematurely.
What Happens Next
With India A posting 265 and Sri Lanka A starting their chase on 10, the match remains finely poised. The penalty runs add an unusual dimension to the contest, and the outcome will have direct bearing on the standings in the ongoing tri-series. The Nigam-Shedge recovery act ensures India A remain competitive despite the self-inflicted damage.
Point of View
Making the self-inflicted gift to Sri Lanka A all the more avoidable. At the junior and A-team level, these are precisely the habits that coaches must stamp out before players graduate to senior international cricket, where such errors carry far heavier consequences.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were India A docked 10 runs against Sri Lanka A?
India A were penalised 10 runs because batter Vipraj Nigam twice ran through the protected area of the pitch during their 50-over tri-series match in Dambulla on 15 June, despite earlier warnings. Each offence attracted a five-run penalty under the Laws of Cricket.
Who imposed the penalty and when?
On-field umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka enforced the two five-run penalties midway through the 34th and 37th overs of India A's innings.
How did India A recover from 143 for 7 to post 265?
Vipraj Nigam (51 off 49 balls) and Suryansh Shedge (72 off 66 balls) shared a 104-run eighth-wicket partnership to rescue India A from 143 for 7 and take them to a competitive total of 265.
Were Sri Lanka A also penalised in the same match?
Yes. Sri Lanka A conceded five penalty runs in the 16th over when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella failed to collect a wide, the ball deflecting onto the helmet placed behind the stumps.
How did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi perform in this match?
The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 21 off 14 balls, caught at point off Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige after a brisk start. His maiden half-century for India A remains elusive.
