Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Virat Kohli advice (Source: X)
The future of Indian cricket, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, came under the spotlight this time not for his quickfire innings or massive sixes, but for his fight during the India A vs Sri Lanka A match in the ongoing Tri-Series in Dambulla.
Thanks to his prolific IPL 2026 season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been fast-tracked to the India A squad and was recently selected in the India national squad for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England in June-July.
What happened in IND-A vs SL-A Dumbulla match?
For the unversed, Sooryavanshi and Sri Lankan player Vishen Halambage were involved in a heated exchange that led to physical contact on the field after Sri Lanka A beat India A in a Super Over finish in the one-day tri-series in Dumbulla.
Following the conclusion of the high-octane match, Halambage and another Sri Lankan player, Wanuja Sahan, were seen having words with the departing India batters, which may have served as a flashpoint for the confrontation.
In the viral videos spreading online, Sooryavanshi and Halambage can be seen pushing each other. The 15-year-old was then seen flailing as he walked off the field.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fight brings him under scrutiny
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India A debut has so far not fared as expected. Right after his exploits in the recently concluded IPL 2026, the wonder boy has registered three failures on the trot.
Making the matters worse, Sooryavanshi’s off-the-field repertoire has now drawn criticism from fans, following his fight against Sri Lanka A players and with the match officials.
The incident has since sparked controversy, prompting discussions over whether the teenager will face official sanctions from the match referee under the ICC Code of Conduct.
Also read: Why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Were Never True Rivals?
Moreover, former Sri Lankan team manager Brian Thomas heavily criticised Sooryavanshi's conduct. He suggested that a temporary suspension would teach the youngster the value of sportsmanship.
This sparked discussions regarding how the young cricketer must learn to handle high-pressure situations and maintain composure amidst match frustrations.
Did Sooryavanshi ignore Virat Kohli’s advice?
Only a couple of weeks ago, in the IPL 2026 final, legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli put his arm around the youngster’s shoulder and said something that Sooryavanshi will and should never forget in his career, especially coming from someone who is known for fierce competitiveness, driven by his passion for the game.
Speaking to Vaibhav, Virat Kohli gave golden advice: "Do not pay attention to who is saying what or how they are saying it."
Sooryavanshi later said the moment felt like a dream, that it didn't even feel like Kohli was actually there. That the man spoke to him like an elder brother. He stored the words carefully, the way you store something precious.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi let a heated on-field altercation with Sri Lanka A players get the better of him during the India A vs Sri Lanka A match in Dambulla. By engaging in the physical and verbal dispute, he temporarily set aside the advice Virat Kohli had given him just weeks prior.
But should Sooryavanshi be criticised so heavily?
Because of his rapid rise, every misstep is heavily scrutinised by the media and passionate cricket fans.
With his breakout and massive hype, experts and fans have expressed concern about his temperament, urging the young prodigy to show more restraint and maturity on the international stage.
However, one should remember that Sooryavanshi is just a teenager.
Kohli, who gave the advice, has also had his fair share of moments of conflict and was not the always the wise man he is now. He has also sledged, fought, and even been involved in a physical altercation in his career.
By the time he was advising the youngster to ignore external noise, he knew exactly what it meant, because he had gone through it all and learnt from his own mistakes.
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