New Delhi: Sri Lanka batsman Banuka Rajapaksa Clarifying his recent comments on the bats used by Indian cricketers, which had sparked a major controversy during the 2026 T20 World Cup. His earlier remarks were interpreted by many as accusations of “bat tampering” or an unfair equipment advantage against the Indian team, but Rajapaksa said his words were misunderstood and taken out of context.
In a social media post, Rajapaksa explained that his intention was to praise India’s cricket set-up and equipment standards and not accuse anyone of wrongdoing. “Hi everyone, just a quick clarification on comments made in a recent interview that have been interpreted differently and parts of which have been lost in translation,” he wrote. “My point is to praise: indian cricket From systems and infrastructure to equipment standards, everything is very advanced. Their bat manufacturers are truly the best in the world. In hindsight, I could have provided clearer context. Nothing but respect,” he added.The controversy started when Rajapaksa said: “The bats of Indian players are far superior to our best bats. It feels like it is coated with rubber. I can’t imagine how this is possible. These bats cannot even be bought by other people – all the players know this.” The comments sparked debate and speculation online about whether Indian players use special or modified bats.However, neither India nor Sri Lanka has lodged a formal complaint with the ICC nor issued any official statement on the matter. This episode was mostly social media and fan discussion.Ball-tampering has long been a touchy subject in cricket, but bats have also been discussed in the past, particularly regarding size and power. The ICC has regulations on bat dimensions, such as the maximum thickness of the edges, but not on the quality of willow wood used to make the bat. As British willows become increasingly rare and expensive, some worry that wealthy teams and players may gain an equipment advantage.
