How a chaotic finish in Dambulla sparked controversy

"Match over… now you go home…" — something along those lines was allegedly said by Vishen Halambage to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, sparking an instant flare-up between the two after the conclusion of a tempers-marred Super Over contest between India A and Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on Monday evening. The two players were seen getting physical before teammates intervened.

India A's openers failed to chase down the 17-run target in the Super Over bowled by Kugathas Mathulan, a 19-year-old slinger from Jaffna, handing Sri Lanka A victory in a contest concluded in virtual darkness. After the match and the subsequent bust-up, the players completed customary handshakes.

The physical altercation could have had serious consequences for the players involved. However, the ICC does not normally adjudicate disciplinary matters arising from A-team series, nor does it appoint match officials for such series.

Post-match, there was a discussion in the Sri Lanka A dressing room, where suggestions were made — including that the team should apologize to the Indian side. Whether they will do so remains to be seen, but the situation should never have reached that point, especially given the match ended in a tie and there was arguably insufficient light for a Super Over.

There are conflicting accounts of what led to the Super Over. India captain Tilak Varma was seen in an animated discussion with the umpires, reportedly insisting on a Super Over after Sri Lanka equalled India's total of 265. The Sri Lankan side apparently did not want a tie-breaker in that situation.

It is also learnt that the umpires may have gone back on an understanding with the India captain by allowing play to continue even after light had deteriorated. The umpires had indicated that India's Super Over innings would be halted if light worsened — which, as seen on live telecast and according to those present, is exactly what happened.

An SLC official admitted to Cricbuzz: "There should never have been a Super Over in the first place." The umpiring left a lot to be desired. On-field umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka penalised India by awarding Sri Lanka A 10 penalty runs, ruling that Vipraj Nigam had run on the protected area of the pitch twice after official warnings.

In the final analysis, that decision proved vital — Sri Lanka A effectively began their chase with 10 runs on the board and eventually matched India A's total. Third umpire Chamara de Zoysa also adjudged an Arshad Khan delivery in the Super Over a waist-high no-ball — a call that was, at the very least, debatable.