India ‘A’ docked 10 runs as penalty for running on the pitch against Sri Lanka ‘A’
On-field umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka enforced the sanctions midway through the 34th and 37th overs. The second infringement occurred when Nigam, attempting a single towards short third man, was sent back by non-striker Suryansh Shedge.
In his scramble to regain ground, he ran directly over the middle of the pitch. With Nigam having committed a similar offence two overs earlier, it prompted the on-field umpires to take action. The repeat violation resulted in two five-run penalties, meaning Sri Lanka A began their chase with 10 runs already added to their total.
Despite the setback, Nigam played a key role in India’s recovery by making 51 off 49 balls, while Shedge struck 72 from 66 deliveries to lift India A to 265. All-rounders Nigam and Shedge shared a 104-run stand for the eighth wicket after India ‘A’ had slumped to 143/7.
Sri Lanka A had earlier conceded five penalty runs themselves in the 16th over when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella failed to collect a wide - the ball deflecting onto the helmet placed behind him. Teenaged batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s wait for a maiden half-century for India A continued as he was dismissed for 21 off 14 balls.
The 15-year-old had raced to a brisk start with boundaries against Mohammed Shiraz and Chamika Gunasekara but was undone by captain Sahan Arachchige, who brought himself on in the fourth over. Attempting a lofted drive off him, Sooryavanshi sliced to point. Despite the wobble later on, Shedge and Nigam’s partnership ensured a competitive total was on board for India ‘A’.
