Past India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar It drew one of the most talked about events that concluded recently India A three series Sri Lanka. The controversy revolved around the teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshihis involvement in the on-field controversy sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits alike.
The incident generated a lot of attention in the cricket world, with disagreement over whether disciplinary action was warranted. While some argued that given the young man’s age, he should be given the benefit of the doubt, others felt that stronger measures were required to send the right message.
Sanjay Manjrekar questions the decision not to punish Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Manjrekar expressed his disappointment at the handling of the incident and asked why no action was taken against Suryavanshi despite physical contact during the altercation. The former Indian batsman pointed out that while the Sri Lanka A players involved in the episode were reprimanded and fined, the Indian youngster escaped any punishment. According to Manjrekar, verbal exchanges are one thing, but physical confrontation needs to be taken more seriously.
“If he had just got into a verbal fight, that would have been fine, but there was physical contact and that’s a big thing in my opinion. The Sri Lankan referee must have been scared because he was an Indian player, I mean, no penalty, nothing, only the Sri Lankan players were cautioned and fined. I think they handled it well, I just want to express my disappointment,” Manjrekar said.
The controversy stemmed from a heated moment involving Suryavanshi and Sri Lanka A dough They wear Halambage during the tri-series. The incident quickly became a major topic of discussion, with many former players and fans debating whether disciplinary action should be taken against the Indian youngster.
Manjrekar supports Suryavanshi but urges the authorities to act decisively
While criticizing the decision-making process, Manjrekar clarified that his comments should not be interpreted as criticism of Suryavanshi himself. Instead, he emphasized the importance of guiding young cricketers early in their careers and ensuring that such incidents are handled properly. The former batsman stressed that the onus rests on the administrators and governing bodies to protect the spirit of the game and prevent similar situations in the future.
“I’m not going to be against Vaibhav Suryavanshi and I’m not going to start hating him. I totally understand what he’s doing. But you have to react to it as the people who are policing the game. You can’t show that it’s okay. I mean, no action has been taken against him, nothing. Not even a formal warning, no fine, just nothing.” Manjrekar added.
Interestingly, the incident did not affect Suryavanshi’s participation in the rest of the tournament. The youngster responded in the best possible way with the bat, smashing a sensational 29-ball 94 in the final against Sri Lanka A to give India A a 66-run victory and lift the title.
Suryavanshi has now earned a spot after his spectacular performances throughout the season India’s T20I squad for Ireland, England and Asian Games tour. The teenager’s choice comes on the back of a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign, he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer and won the Orange Cap, further cementing his status as one of Indian cricket’s brightest young talents.
