Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Sarfaraz Khan Taunts Dhananjaya de Silva During Viral Test Sledging
Sarfaraz Khan was not playing in India’s starting team, but he was still helping as a substitute fielder.
He stood close to the batter, where fielders need to react quickly.
During the second Test against Sri Lanka, he talked with several Sri Lankan players.
At one point, Dhananjaya de Silva moved away from the stumps because he said something distracted him.
Sarfaraz joked that de Silva should not be scared.
Their conversation was recorded by the microphone near the stumps.
A video of the exchange became popular on social media.
Sarfaraz was on the field because Rishabh Pant was recovering from an injury.
India substitute fielder Sarfaraz Khan engaged Sri Lankan batters in repeated on-field chatter.
He told Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva not to be scared during an exchange.
De Silva had moved away from the stumps, citing a distraction behind the bowler’s arm.
The conversation was recorded by the stump microphone and spread widely on social media.
Sarfaraz was fielding for injured Rishabh Pant after replacing Sai Sudharsan in the Test squad.
- Who
- Sarfaraz Khan and Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva, with Manav Suthar bowling.
- What
- A stump-microphone-recorded sledging exchange occurred during the India-Sri Lanka second Test.
- When
- During the India-Sri Lanka second Test; the article does not provide a date.
- Where
- On the cricket field during the second Test; the venue is not specified.
- Why
- De Silva moved away from the stumps after citing a distraction behind the bowler’s arm, prompting Sarfaraz’s remarks.
- Match
- India vs Sri Lanka, second Test
- Main exchange
- Sarfaraz Khan told Dhananjaya de Silva, “Don’t be scared. Play.”
- Recording
- The exchange was captured by the stump microphone.
- Fielding role
- Sarfaraz fielded at short leg and silly point.
- Bowler
- Manav Suthar was bowling during the exchange.
- Playing status
- Sarfaraz was a substitute and was not in the playing XI.
- Replacement context
- He was on the field for Rishabh Pant and had been called up after Sai Sudharsan was replaced.