COLOMBO: Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has moved to clarify his comments about the bats used by Indian players after his remarks triggered debate on social media during the T20 World Cup 2026.
Rajapaksa faced criticism after an interview in which he suggested that Indian batters were using equipment that appeared more powerful than what was available to other teams. His comments were interpreted by some online as insinuations of bat tampering, prompting backlash from fans and commentators.
In response, the left-handed batter said his words had been misunderstood and, in some cases, lost in translation. Posting on X, he stressed that his intention was not to cast doubt on the integrity of Indian cricket but to acknowledge its advanced systems.
He described Indian cricket as highly developed, citing its infrastructure, standards and manufacturing capabilities. He added that Indian bat makers are among the finest globally and suggested that his earlier phrasing may have created confusion.
In the initial interview with NewsWire, Rajapaksa had remarked that Indian players appeared to be using bats that generated significantly more power. He said the bats felt superior to those available to others and speculated about their composition, comments that quickly gained traction online.
The controversy emerged amid heightened scrutiny during the ongoing tournament, where equipment standards are governed by international regulations. Rajapaksa did not repeat any allegations in his clarification and instead emphasized respect for the Indian team and its cricketing ecosystem.
The episode has added to the off-field chatter surrounding the tournament, though no official complaint or investigation has been announced regarding the equipment used by any team.
