Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Manjrekar Calls Sri Lanka’s Late-Day Cricket Approach Unprofessional
India scored 503 runs before declaring their innings.
Sri Lanka then began batting late in the day.
Their opener Lahiru Udara was dismissed quickly by Prasidh Krishna.
The umpires checked the light because clouds and rain made conditions difficult.
Sri Lankan batters repeatedly showed that they thought the light was too poor.
Play continued, and Prabath Jayasuriya was dismissed by Manav Suthar.
Sri Lanka ended the day with only 8 runs and two wickets lost.
Sanjay Manjrekar said the players were so focused on the light dispute that they did not concentrate enough on the ball.
He also praised India for putting pressure on the umpires to continue playing.
India declared their first innings at 503 for 9 after 138 overs.
Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Udara and Prabath Jayasuriya to finish at 8 for 2.
Umpires used the light meter as clouds and drizzle created low-light conditions.
Sanjay Manjrekar said Sri Lanka’s focus on bad light contributed to their dismissals.
Manjrekar credited India for pressuring the umpires and maintaining play was possible.
- Who
- India, Sri Lanka, Sanjay Manjrekar, the match umpires, and the players involved in the late-day passage of play.
- What
- Sri Lanka lost two wickets after India declared at 503 for 9, while players disputed whether the light was safe for batting.
- When
- At the end of Day 2, after India’s first innings declaration.
- Where
- The articles do not specify the venue.
- Why
- Clouds, drizzle, and low-light conditions led Sri Lankan players to object to continuing play; Manjrekar said this distracted them from batting.
Manjrekar and India’s approach
Sri Lankan players’ apparent concern
Whether play should continue
Manjrekar and India’s approach
Manjrekar said the light was not so poor that the ball could not be seen and credited India for putting pressure on the umpires to continue.
Sri Lankan players’ apparent concern
Sri Lankan batters repeatedly showed dissent after the light meter was taken out, indicating they believed the conditions were bad enough to stop play.
Focus during batting
Manjrekar and India’s approach
Manjrekar argued that Sri Lanka’s frustration over the light distracted the batters and contributed to their mistakes.
Sri Lankan players’ apparent concern
The Sri Lankan players’ gestures and objections showed that they were concerned about the safety or fairness of batting in the conditions, although the article does not provide a formal Sri Lankan explanation.
- India’s declaration
- 503 for 9 in 138 overs
- Sri Lanka’s score
- 8 for 2 at stumps
- Wickets lost
- Lahiru Udara was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna, and Prabath Jayasuriya was dismissed by Manav Suthar.
- Officials
- Umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Saikat used the light meter.
- Playing conditions
- Heavy clouds, drizzle, rain, and low light affected the final part of the day.
- Manjrekar’s assessment
- He described Sri Lanka’s approach as slightly unprofessional and praised India’s tactics.