Sri Lanka 'A' players sanctioned after India 'A' clash in Dambulla
Synopsis
A tri-series match in Dambulla between India 'A' and Sri Lanka 'A' ended in a Super Over thriller — but the bigger story was off the ball. A physical altercation between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Vishen Halambage, sanctions issued without a formal hearing, and a fined wicket-keeper who was apparently trying to keep the peace: this disciplinary episode raises pointed questions about conduct protocols in second-tier international cricket.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly sanctioned players following the India 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A' tri-series clash in Dambulla on 16 June .
Match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash issued penalties based on on-field umpires' reports, with no formal hearing held.
Vishen Halambage is among the primary targets of the sanctions after an altercation with India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi .
Wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella was also fined — reportedly for a separate violation, possibly excessive appeals.
Whether Sooryavanshi , who was seen nudging Halambage after the match, has been sanctioned remains unconfirmed.
Sri Lanka 'A' won the match via Super Over after both sides scored 265 .
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly imposed disciplinary sanctions on players involved in a heated India 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A' tri-series match in Dambulla on Monday, 16 June, with match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash issuing penalties following the controversial fixture. The sanctions were confirmed in reports on Tuesday.
What Happened on the Field
The match itself ended in a tie at 265 runs apiece, with Sri Lanka 'A' claiming victory in a Super Over. However, the result was overshadowed by a fiery altercation involving India's young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka 'A' player Vishen Halambage. The confrontation reportedly escalated into prolonged verbal exchanges and what appeared to be a physical nudge from Sooryavanshi toward Halambage after the final ball was bowled.
Who Has Been Sanctioned
Halambage is among the primary targets of the sanctions issued by Jeyapragash, according to reports. Notably, Sri Lanka 'A' wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella has also been fined — reportedly for a separate violation, possibly excessive appeals — even though he appeared to be attempting to defuse the confrontation between the two players. The exact nature of Dickwella's violation has not been officially stated.
It remains unconfirmed whether Sooryavanshi has been sanctioned. Reports indicate no formal hearing was held, with Sri Lanka 'A' sources suggesting that Jeyapragash issued the penalties based solely on on-field umpires' reports.
The Referee's Background
Pradeep Jeyapragash, a 42-year-old former Sri Lankan fast bowler, officiated the match at the very ground where he made his sole international appearance — against India in 2005. His decision to sanction players without a formal hearing has drawn attention, with sources from the Sri Lanka 'A' camp expressing reservations about the process.
Broader Context
This is not the first time that 'A' team tours have produced flashpoints between India and Sri Lanka. The tri-series in Dambulla has been closely watched as a platform for emerging talent on both sides, making the disciplinary episode an unwelcome distraction. The incident also puts a spotlight on the conduct protocols governing second-tier international cricket, where oversight mechanisms can be less rigorous than at the senior level.
How the boards respond — and whether Sooryavanshi faces any retrospective action — will be closely monitored as the tri-series continues.
Point of View
Particularly when one of the fined players (Dickwella) was reportedly trying to calm the situation. Second-tier international cricket often operates with thinner oversight, and this incident exposes that gap. If Sooryavanshi escapes sanction despite a visible physical nudge, the inconsistency will invite scrutiny of how the match referee applied the code of conduct. Both boards owe their emerging players a transparent and fair disciplinary process — not a rushed post-match call.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the India 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A' match in Dambulla?
The match on 16 June ended in a tie at 265 runs each, with Sri Lanka 'A' winning via a Super Over. The game was marred by a heated altercation between India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka 'A' player Vishen Halambage, which reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation after the match concluded.
Who has been sanctioned following the Dambulla incident?
Vishen Halambage is among the primary targets of the sanctions issued by match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash. Wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella was also fined, reportedly for a separate violation. Whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been sanctioned remains unconfirmed as of reports on Tuesday.
Why was Niroshan Dickwella fined if he was trying to calm the situation?
Dickwella's fine reportedly relates to a separate violation — possibly excessive appeals — and not to his involvement in the Sooryavanshi-Halambage confrontation. The exact nature of his violation has not been officially disclosed.
Was there a formal hearing before the sanctions were issued?
No formal hearing was held. According to Sri Lanka 'A' sources, match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash issued the sanctions based solely on the on-field umpires' reports, a process that sources from the Sri Lanka 'A' camp have reportedly questioned.
Who is match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash?
Pradeep Jeyapragash is a 42-year-old former Sri Lankan fast bowler who served as the match referee for the Dambulla fixture. He made his sole international appearance for Sri Lanka against India in 2005 — at the same ground where he officiated this match.
