On going Sri Lanka A-Team Tri-Series Served till the 5th match with intense cricketing drama India A and Afghanistan A Dambulla on June 17, 2026 was no exception. After Afghanistan A won the toss and elected to field, cricket fans were treated to high-octane action right after the opening. However, the biggest talking point of the morning was not just the score, but a highly controversial refereeing decision that sparked intense debate on social media platforms.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi avoids dismissal in IND-A vs AFG-A ODI match
The flashpoint of the match came incredibly early in the second half of the innings. Face to face with the Afghan spinner Shams Ur Rahman On the third ball of his spell, the Indian opens Vaibhav Suryavanshi Turned outside off-stump and sliced a delivery that bounced sharply. What followed seemed like a moment of pure magic: An Afghan player made a spectacular diving effort on his left, reaching out with one hand and plucking the ball a few millimeters off the turf.
Celebrations immediately broke out on the field and Suryavanshi was looking for a duck. However, the decision was sent upstairs to the TV judge Prageeth Rambukwella. After analyzing multiple slow motion angles, the third umpire deemed that part of the ball was touching the grass before the fielder made a clean catch.
The decision stunned the Afghanistan A team and led to a lively debate between the wicketkeeper, home team and field officials. Fans on social networks were immediately divided. While Indian supporters breathed a sigh of relief, citing it as a fair call given the benefit of the doubt, neutrals and Afghan fans criticized the decision, arguing that the field had done enough to ensure a clean, legal catch.
India A starts against Afghanistan A
Taking advantage of this early respite, India A’s top order launched a fierce counter-attack to put Afghanistan A under immense pressure. By the time the scorecard read 26, India A had reached 177/3, flying at a brisk 6.80.
The foundation of this explosive start was an opening partnership that lasted over 75 years. Suryavanshi made the most of his controversial lifeline to fire a quickfire 38 off 28 balls, including 4 fours and 2 big sixes, at a strike rate of 135.71. Faridun Davudzai. His opening partner, Priyansh Aryawas more devastating, hitting 9 fours and a six to ensure a brilliant early rise from 58 off 42 deliveries.
After the openings, the 30-ball was separated from 31 in a stable manner Ruturaj Gaikwadcaptain Tilak Varma (23* off 24) and wicketkeeper-oriented Kumar Kushagra (21* off 31) took control to maintain momentum. A for Afghanistan, Farmanullah (1/29) and Abdullah Ahmadzai (1/40) made important gains but they struggled to maintain the flow of runs on the batting-friendly Dambulla surface.
Also READ: Zaheer Khan heaps praise on Vaibhav Suryavanshi after sensational IPL 2026 campaign
Here’s how the fans reacted:
How come this was not given?
Crazy to get Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back a controversial third umpire at 0 and go down multiple times to go to 38(28). The cricket gods gave him 9 lives today and he used them all to get caught before 10… pic.twitter.com/n41zQl23no— Katam Sunil (@SunilKatam74771) June 17, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Afghanistan A 😭
1* – Not given despite being outside.
8* – Seizure dropped.
25* – Another life line.
37* – Another life line.In the end he played a poor knock and was caught for 38 in a do or die match for India A 😭
When he goes out to bat, he… pic.twitter.com/r4WUeYT0XV
— Jara (@JARA_Memer) June 17, 2026
🚨Vaibhav sooryavanshi survives 🚨
– The third judge did not give it
– a part of the ball hit the ground pic.twitter.com/L6HTG5B3Ty— Wade (@Crick_buttowski) June 17, 2026
Big relief for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi… Part of the ball was touching the grass. So it’s not Out. Can he make the most of it? @sportstarweb
— Shayan Acharya (@ShayanAcharya) June 17, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got two lifelines today, falling to 0 and again to 7, but failed to make Afghanistan pay for it.
Vaibhav (So far in this Three Series)
14 (12) vs SL A
44 (22) vs AFG A
21 (14) vs SL A
38 (28) vs AFG A Today*38 runs is not a decent score at this level, when… pic.twitter.com/poN4HB3CTk
— Cricket Capital (@CricketCapital7) June 17, 2026
Big relief for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi… Part of the ball was touching the grass. So it’s not Out. Can he make the most of it? @sportstarweb
— Shayan Acharya (@ShayanAcharya) June 17, 2026
VAYBHAV SOORYAVANSHI FALLS TWICE.
– fell to 0.
– It fell at 7. pic.twitter.com/bPSJxVAyE9— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 17, 2026
FIRST LIVES FOR VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI!
Fortune smiled on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early in the innings as Afghanistan A had already lost two chances.
📸: Sony LIV#VaibhavSooryavanshi #IndiaA IN #AFGAv #TriNationSeries #CricketWinning pic.twitter.com/TCOzF0Hu7q
– Cricket Ganit (@cricketganit) June 17, 2026
SUCCESS IS ON THE FIFTH SIDE 🤞
VAYBHAV SOORYAVANSHI DOESN’T BELIEVE HIS EYES 👀
– Short ball that gets away from Vaibhav 🥶
– He wanted to pull this to the side, he flew at the cap point for an easy catch.
Melon is yelling at someone🤯pic.twitter.com/hUjw8ZE54a— cricFusion Aashi (@cricket_x_Ashi) June 17, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 38 runs in 28 balls. Again a good start but it ended looking dangerous and set for a big score 😵💫
Vaibhav in Tri Series:
– 14 (12) compared to SL
– 44 (22) against Afghanistan
– 21 (14) against SL
– 38 (28) against Afghanistan#ipl_2026 pic.twitter.com/bKNxHAvkvb— Bharat News World (@RihanKhan902) June 17, 2026
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