Sri Lanka denies ‘targeting’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in heated India A clash: ‘Emotions coming out is normal’

In the aftermath of the incident, several reports surfaced indicating that Halambage had been regularly taunting Sooryavanshi and that the verbal volleys had been thrown from the start of the Tri-Nation Series. Among several other remarks, Cricbuzz reported that Halambage also told the Indian batter, "Go home, this is not the IPL," or words to that effect.

“The boys are not targeting anyone or anything. They are just enjoying themselves. In a close game like a Super Over, emotions come out. That’s normal," he told Sportstar.

“There are a lot of experienced players in this team. They know what to do, and they know how to play,” he added.

The image of Sooryavanshi pushing Sri Lanka A player away was met with polarising reactions, and former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said that if he were the manager or coach of India A, he would have dropped the youngster for the match against Afghanistan A to teach him a lesson.

Earlier, India A qualified for the final after beating Afghanistan A by 101 runs on Wednesday, June 17. Sri Lanka A then defeated Afghanistan to set up a summit clash with Tilak Varma's side.

After the final against Sri Lanka A on Sunday, both Sooryavanshi and Tilak Varma will fly to Ireland for the upcoming two T20Is in Belfast. Sooryavanshi has a chance to become the youngest-ever player for the senior Indian men's side.

Earlier, Sooryavanshi became the youngest to be picked in India squad, breaking the 36-year-old record that belonged to none other than Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

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