Why did India A face 10-run penalty during tri-series match against Sri Lanka A? Reasons Explained

When India A came out to defend their total of 265 runs against Sri Lanka A in the ongoing tri-series clash on Monday, June 15, the scorecard displayed 10-0 without a ball being bowled. This made the fans wonder whether it was actual or a genuine mistake by the television broadcaster. However, the actual reason is that India were handed a 10-run penalty during the first innings.

During the visiting team’s batting at the Rangiri International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla, all-rounder Vipraj Nigam, who came in to bat at No. 9, actually repeated the mistake of walking on the danger zone of the pitch. Nigam first received an oral warning from the umpire during the 33rd over of the innings. However, a repeat offender Nigam was then the reason that the team was charged a penalty.

There is a five-run penalty awarded to a team in case of such an instance. However, the all-rounder was caught running on the danger zone twice in the 35th over on successive deliveries, which eventually charged the team twice, which means it resulted in a 10-run penalty for the Indian team against the island nation.

As a result, the scorecard read 10 without loss when the Lankan openers – Niroshan Dickwella and Avishka Fernando – walked out to the crease in pursuit of the 266-run target.

Notably, Dickwella had committed a similar mistake, as the wicketkeeper kept his helmet on the outfield and a wide ball bowled by Kugathas Mathulan deflected off his gloves. Regardless of the pace and trajectory, if the ball is in play and it touches the discarded player equipment on the field, it results in a five-run penalty. Therefore, the Men in Blue also received a bonus, halving the effect of Nigam’s running.