June.15 - India A were handed a 10-run penalty in their tri-series clash against Sri Lanka A on Monday (June 15) after Vipraj Nigam was found running through the protected area of the pitch twice despite the team having been previously warned.

On-field umpires Prageeth Rambukwella and Shantha Fonseka officially imposed the two five-run penalties midway through the 34th and 37th overs respectively. The second of those transgressions came when Nigam, who had guided a delivery towards short third, set off for a run before being sent back by non-striker Suryansh Shedge. In his attempt to regain his ground, Nigam ran through the middle of the pitch, over the protected area.

The batter had committed a similar offence two overs earlier. The umpires had also issued a warning before that, according to broadcast commentators. The repeat transgression resulted in five-run penalties, meaning Sri Lanka A began their chase with 10 runs already added to their total.

Incidentally, Nigam played a crucial role in India's recovery, adding 104 runs for the eighth wicket with Shedge after the visitors had slumped to 143 for 7. He was eventually run out for 51 off 49 balls, while Shedge struck 72 off 66 deliveries to lift India A to 265.

It's worth noting that Sri Lanka A were also at the receiving end of a penalty earlier in the same innings. In the 16th over, India A got five bonus runs when keeper Niroshan Dickwella couldn't collect a wide cleanly, the ball bouncing past him and hitting the stationary helmet behind. -cricbuzz