“The Sri Lankan referee must have gotten scared” – Former India batter’s huge claim on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s physical altercation during tri-series 

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the match referee in question for the infamous tri-series contest between India ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’, Pradeep Jeyaprakashdaran, was intimidated after Vaibhav Suryavanshi was involved in a physical tussle at the end of the match. The Sri Lankan players involved in the incident were reprimanded and fined, while the Indian teenage sensation escaped sanction.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi had pushed Sri Lanka A’s Vishen Halambage after being provoked, sparking a massive uproar among fans and pundits. While the majority believed the teenager should be spared punishment because of his age, Sanjay Manjrekar had stated that the team management should drop him from the next match.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had a significant say in the final judgement as the International Cricket Council (ICC) were involved in the proceedings. However, the board opted not to punish the emerging talent, something that Manjrekar does not agree with, especially since there was physical contact involved.

“Had he just gotten into a verbal fight, that would have been okay, but there was physical contact, and that is a big deal, according to me. The Sri Lankan referee must have gotten scared because it was an Indian player, I mean no fine, nothing, only the Sri Lankan players were warned and fined. I don’t think they handled this situation well, I just want to vent my frustration here,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on the Sony Sports Network.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi ended up playing the remainder of the tournament, scoring a sensational 29-ball 94 in the final against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in Dambulla to help India ‘A’ secure a 66-run win.

“I am not going to be anti-Vaibhav Suryavanshi” – Sanjay Manjrekar on the importance of guiding the youngster early

The former batter remarked that the Sri Lankan officials were afraid to go against Indians in any way whatsoever, and as a result, the responsibility falls on the BCCI to ensure that such an instance never happens again.

“I am not going to be anti-Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and I won’t start hating him. I completely understand what he has done. But as people who are custodians of the game, you also have to react to that. You can’t show that it is okay. I mean, no action was taken against him, nothing at all. Not even an official warning, or a fine, just nothing. The Sri Lankan officials were under pressure, because when India wanted a super over in bad light, they allowed it. BCCI should nip it in the bud, but I don’t think Vaibhav will do it again, because he knew himself that what he did was not right,” Manjrekar added.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has travelled with the Indian senior team to Ireland ahead of his maiden international tour. He was selected for the T20I squad after a stunning Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign, where he won the Orange Cap.