India Ameets with Sri Lanka A The tri-series on Monday (June 15) featured more than a tight battle between bat and ball. While the visitors battled back admirably from a difficult position to post a competitive total of 265, an unusual sequence of events during the innings saw them concede 10 penalty runs. The penalties stemming from repeated infringements of the protected area of ​​the pitch gave Sri Lanka A a valuable start in the chase and added an unexpected twist to the match.
Why was India A penalized for 10?
A penalty was awarded after the multisport Vipraj Nigam twice passed through the protected area of ​​the pitch despite prior warnings from the pitch officials. Under the Laws of Cricket, except in limited circumstances, batting is not allowed to run in the central protected lane, as this may damage the surface and affect playing conditions.
According to the match officials, Nigam first committed the offense in the closing stages of India A’s innings. Umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka cautioned the batsman after the initial incident. However, the issue came up again only a few times later.
The second breach came when Nigam pushed the ball towards short third and attempted a quick single before being sent back by non-striker Suryansh Shedge. He again escaped the guarded area to return safely to the fold. As the bowler had already been warned, the umpires applied the prescribed penalty.
Two separate five-run penalties were awarded during the innings, with Sri Lanka A effectively starting their chase with 10 runs already on the board. The ruling emphasized the importance of players following pitch safety rules, especially after official warnings.
Interestingly, the match saw Sri Lanka A conceding five penalties in India A’s innings earlier. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella failed to make a clean stop at a wide delivery and the ball turned into a helmet behind him, automatically giving India five bonus runs in game condition.
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Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam save India A with a vital partnership
Despite the penalty drama, India A found positives through impressive low-order resistance from Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam. The pair faced the threat of dismissal when the innings was in serious trouble, with India A struggling at 143 for 7 and a below-par total.
Instead of backing down under pressure, the duo launched a determined counterattack. Their partnership of 104 runs for the eighth wicket stabilized the innings and the momentum shifted in India A’s favour. Nigam contributed a valuable 51 off 49 deliveries before the over, while Shedge recovered his 72 off just 66 balls with compact and aggressive bowling.
Their efforts lifted India A to 265 and the bowlers struggled to defend despite the extraordinary failure of a 10-run penalty. Despite the costly breakdowns, the resilience shown by the lower order ensured that the visitors remained firmly in the contest and showcased the depth available in the India A ranks.
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