BCCI secretary urges India A to ignore altercation with Sri Lanka A in 2026 tri-series

After an on-field clash during a Super Over loss to Sri Lanka A, the BCCI secretary advised India A to focus solely on winning the ongoing tri-nation series.

Players involved in altercation Tension at the end of a closely fought match, won by Sri Lanka A via a Super Over, led to shoving between India A’s Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A’s Halambage. Officials had to step in to separate the two players before further incidents could occur. The incident occurred immediately after the conclusion of the high-pressure contest that was decided by the tiebreaker method. No immediate sanctions or disciplinary actions were announced following the altercation. ## BCCI secretary's statement on distractions India A’s players are participating in a critical tri-nation series where upcoming talent vies for spots in the senior national team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s secretary emphasized the need for players to prioritize their performances over any peripheral matters. He stated, 'India A is playing a major tournament, all the upcoming players who can stake their claim for the Indian senior team, they are in the midst of a very big tournament, a tri-nation series, so they should concentrate on their game rather than getting distracted from any collateral issues.' The focus, he added, must remain on delivering peak performances to secure victories for the team. ## Sooryavanshi's rising profile and past incidents The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has drawn significant attention for his extraordinary, record-breaking performances at a young age. His rapid rise has been marked by notable achievements, though he has also been involved in minor disciplinary matters. Last year, during the final of the Under-19 Asia Cup against Pakistan, he indicated toward his shoe after being dismissed. Despite these incidents, his talent continues to place him in contention for higher honors, including potential senior team selection. ## BCCI's hands-off approach during tournaments The BCCI secretary clarified that the board does not engage with players regarding personal or secondary issues during active tournaments. He explained that the players’ focus remains exclusively on their matches, with support staff and coaches handling all game-related matters. 'It is not our duty to speak to the players for any reason,' he stated. 'The players are only concentrated with their games and the support staff and the coaches who are present with them, nothing else. So nobody interferes in their game and their strategy and their preparation for that big series, which is presently going on.' The board’s policy is to avoid any distractions that could hinder the team’s performance in major competitions. ## India A's immediate priorities in the series The ongoing tri-series is a platform for India A’s emerging players to showcase their abilities ahead of potential senior call-ups. The BCCI reiterated that securing victories and maintaining strong performances are the only priorities at this stage. 'We will follow this policy that during a major tournament, when they are playing for the country, they should not get distracted by any other secondary issues, which are not of paramount importance. The important thing is India's winning and performing well in the tri-series.' Sooryavanshi, in particular, is on the radar for a potential debut, having received his first international T20 call-up for tours to Ireland and England.