The ongoing Sri Lanka A-Team Tri-Series has served up intense cricketing drama, and the 5th match between India A and Afghanistan A at Dambulla on June 17, 2026, was no exception. After Afghanistan A won the toss and elected to field, cricket fans were treated to high-octane action right from the opening over. However, the biggest talking point of the morning wasn’t just the scoring rate, but a highly controversial umpiring decision that ignited intense debate across social media platforms.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi escapes dismissal in IND-A vs AFG-A ODI match

The flashpoint of the match arrived incredibly early, in just the second over of the innings. Facing Afghan spinner Shams Ur Rahman on the third ball of his spell, Indian opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi sliced a delivery that turned and bounced sharply outside the off-stump. What followed looked like a moment of pure magic: the Afghanistan A fielder at point executed a spectacular diving effort to his left, stretching out a single hand to pluck the ball just millimetres from the turf.

On-field celebrations erupted immediately, and Suryavanshi looked destined for a duck. However, the decision was sent upstairs to TV umpire Prageeth Rambukwella. After analyzing multiple slow-motion angles, the third umpire deemed that a part of the ball was touching the grass before the fielder cleanly secured the catch.

The decision left the Afghanistan A squad stunned, leading to an animated discussion between the keeper, fielders, and the on-field officials. On social media, fans were instantly divided. While Indian supporters breathed a sigh of relief, labelling it a fair call based on the benefit of the doubt, neutral and Afghan fans criticized the decision, arguing that the fielder had done enough to secure a clean, legal catch.

India A off to a flying start against Afghanistan A

Capitalizing on that early reprieve, India A’s top order unleashed a fierce counter-attack to put Afghanistan A under immense pressure. By the time the scorecard read 26 overs, India A had raced to a commanding 177/3, flying along at a rapid current run rate of 6.80.

The foundation of this explosive start was a blistering 75-run opening partnership. Suryavanshi made the most of his controversial lifeline, smashing a quick-fire 38 off just 28 balls, including 4 fours and 2 massive sixes, operating at a strike rate of 135.71 before finally falling to Faridoon Dawoodzai. His opening partner, Priyansh Arya, was even more destructive, anchoring the early surge with a brilliant 58 off 42 deliveries, hitting 9 fours and a six.

Following the openers’ departures and a steady 30-ball 31 from Ruturaj Gaikwad, skipper Tilak Varma (23* off 24) and wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra (21* off 31) took control to maintain the momentum. For Afghanistan A, Farmanullah (1/29) and Abdollah Ahmadzai (1/40) picked up crucial breakthroughs, but they struggled to contain the run flow on a batting-friendly Dambulla surface.

Also READ: Zaheer Khan heaps praise on Vaibhav Suryavanshi after sensational IPL 2026 campaign

Here’s how fans reacted:

How on earth was this given not out?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting a controversial third-umpire reversal on 0 AND being dropped multiple times just to crawl his way to 38(28) is crazy. The cricket gods gave him 9 lives today and he used them all to get caught out before the 10th… pic.twitter.com/n41zQl23no

— Katam Sunil (@SunilKatam74771) June 17, 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Afghanistan A 😭

1* – Given not out despite being out.
8* – Catch dropped.
25* – Another lifeline.
37* – Yet another lifeline.

In the end, he played a poor shot and was caught out for 38 in a do-or-die match for India A 😭

When he came out to bat, he… pic.twitter.com/r4WUeYT0XV

— Jara (@JARA_Memer) June 17, 2026

🚨Vaibhav sooryavanshi survives 🚨

– The third umpire gave this not out
– some part of the ball was touching the ground pic.twitter.com/L6HTG5B3Ty

— Wade (@Crick_buttowski) June 17, 2026

A huge relief for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi… Some part of the ball was touching the grass. So, it's Not Out. Can he make the most of it? @sportstarweb

— Shayan Acharya (@ShayanAcharya) June 17, 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got two lifelines today, dropped on 0 and again on 7, but couldn't make Afghanistan pay for it.

Vaibhav (So far in this Tri Series)
14 (12) vs SL A
44 (22) vs AFG A
21 (14) vs SL A
38 (28) vs AFG A Today*

38 runs is not a decent score at this level, when… pic.twitter.com/poN4HB3CTk

— Cricket Capital (@CricketCapital7) June 17, 2026

A huge relief for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi… Some part of the ball was touching the grass. So, it's Not Out. Can he make the most of it? @sportstarweb

— Shayan Acharya (@ShayanAcharya) June 17, 2026

VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI DROPPED TWICE.

– Dropped on 0.
– Dropped on 7. pic.twitter.com/bPSJxVAyE9

— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 17, 2026

EARLY LIFELINES FOR VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI!

Fortune has smiled on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi early in the innings as Afghanistan A have already put down two chances.

📸: Sony LIV#VaibhavSooryavanshi #IndiaA #AFGAvINDA #TriNationSeries #CricketGanit pic.twitter.com/TCOzF0Hu7q

— Cricket Ganit (@cricketganit) June 17, 2026

LUCK RUNS OUT ON FIFTH ATTEMPT 🤞

VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI DOESN'T BELIEVE HIS EYES 👀

– Short ball that's got rid of Vaibhav🥶

– He wanted to pull this to the on-side, it flew on the cover point for easy catch.
Bowler roars on someone🤯pic.twitter.com/hUjw8ZE54a

— cricFusion Aashi (@cricket_x_Ashi) June 17, 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dismissed for 38 runs in 28 balls. Once again a good start, but ended just as he was looking dangerous and gearing up for a big score 😵‍💫

Vaibhav in the Tri series:
– 14 (12) vs SL
– 44 (22) vs Afg
– 21 (14) vs SL
– 38 (28) vs Afg#ipl_2026 pic.twitter.com/bKNxHAvkvb

— Bharat News World (@RihanKhan902) June 17, 2026

Also WATCH: Vaibhav Suryavanshi seeks blessings from former Sri Lanka captain after India A’s Super Over heartbreak