Sri Lanka’s first ODI captain and one of the country’s most respected cricketing figures Anura Tennekoon has advised Indian teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to stay focused on his game and ignore the comments surrounding his rapid rise in cricket.
After the conclusion of India-A’s contest against Sri Lanka A which produced a thrilling Super Over victory for Sri Lanka A at Dambulla Stadium on Monday Sooryavanshi and Sri Lankan player Vishen Halambage were involved in a heated exchange that led to physical contact on the field. But wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and skipper Sahan Arachchige intervened to defuse the tension between the two players in fading light at the end of the game. However until finish all this drama and presentation ceremony, the former Sri Lanka captain waited outside the Indian A dressing room to give advice to the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi.
The former Skipper Tennekoon, who had travelled to Dambulla to watch the India A – Sri Lanka A Tri-Nation series match met the 15-year-old after the game and offered words of encouragement.
“You focus on your game and cut out the outside noise,” Tennekoon told the teenager Sooryavanshi.
“Today, unfortunately, you couldn’t get going. But that’s part of the game, you can’t get going every day,” he added while Sooryavanshi was quietly listening.
The Sri Lanka’s first ODI captain, described Suryavanshi as a “generational talent” and praised the youngster’s fearless batting.
“I was really impressed by his batting in the IPL. Hitting those sixes and fours the way he did is something unbelievable. I hope he continues in this way,” Tennekoon said. Suryavanshi sought Tennekoon’s blessings before the former Lanka captain gave his advice. This was very emotional as the 15-year-old walked over, bent down and touched the veteran skipper’s feet after this important message.
India A have to play a must win game against Afghanistan A to qualify for the final. Sri Lanka A already had 4 points and entered the final while Afghanistan A and India A are fighting to enter the final next Sunday.
Skipper Varma, who was seen engaged in an animated discussion with the umpires, insisted on Super Over to be played after Sri Lanka equalled India’s total of 265.
Earlier On-field umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka penalised India’ A ‘ by awarding Sri Lanka A 10 penalty runs, ruling that India A batter Vipraj Nigam had run on the protected area of the pitch twice after the official warnings.
However umpires already submitted their report to match referee Pradeep Jayaprakash regarding this incident which is not good for the game.