The dramatic end to the India A vs Sri Lanka A match in the ongoing tri-nation series produced plenty of talking points, from Super Over controversy to heated exchanges between players. However, one of the most memorable moments unfolded long after the match had ended, when a former Sri Lanka captain personally waited to meet young India batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
The 15-year-old has attracted significant attention over the past few months following his sensational IPL 2026 season. While expectations have remained high since his arrival in Sri Lanka, the youngster has found runs harder to come by during the ongoing tournament. Following another disappointing outing in Dambulla, an unexpected meeting provided the talented batter with some timely encouragement.
Young Vaibhav Suryavanshi seeks blessings from former Sri Lanka captain
Former Sri Lanka captain Anura Tennekoon reportedly remained outside the India A dressing room for nearly an hour after the conclusion of the match. While most players, officials and spectators had already left the venue, the veteran cricket figure patiently waited for an opportunity to speak with Suryavanshi. When the youngster eventually emerged from the dressing room, he immediately walked up to Tennekoon, bent down to touch the former Sri Lanka captain’s feet as a mark of respect, and then shared a brief but meaningful conversation with the veteran.
Tennekoon, who captained Sri Lanka during the early years of ODI cricket, was full of praise for the teenager and urged him to remain focused on his cricket. The former skipper also acknowledged that every young cricketer experiences difficult days and offered guidance to Suryavanshi, who listened attentively and expressed gratitude for the advice.
“You focus on your game and cut out the outside noise,” Tennekoon said to Suryavanshi.
IPL performances leave a lasting impression
Tennekoon revealed that he had closely followed Suryavanshi’s exploits during IPL 2026 and was particularly impressed by the fearless approach shown by the young batter throughout the tournament. Suryavanshi, in turn, appeared humbled by the praise coming from one of Sri Lanka’s former captains.
The praise comes after a remarkable IPL campaign in which Suryavanshi finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 776 runs and established himself as one of Indian cricket’s brightest young prospects.
“I was really impressed by his batting in the IPL. And hitting those sixes and fours the way he does is something unbelievable. I hope he continues in this way,” he said to Sportstar.
Difficult outing for India A in Dambulla
The advice came shortly after a dramatic encounter between India A and Sri Lanka A. India A posted 265 after recovering from early trouble, thanks largely to a crucial 72-run knock from Suryansh Shedge, but Sri Lanka A matched the total to force a Super Over. Sadeera Samarawickrama led the hosts’ chase with a brilliant 93, ensuring the contest went right down to the wire.
The match was surrounded by tension during its closing stages, with discussions involving India A captain Tilak Varma and the match officials before and during the Super Over. Sri Lanka A eventually prevailed in the tie-breaker, leaving India A with their second defeat of the competition.
Suryavanshi endured a frustrating day with the bat, managing only 21 runs in the main innings before being unable to make a significant impact during the Super Over chase. Despite the setback, Suryavanshi remains one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket and is still considered a strong contender for a future senior national call-up.
