Manjrekar Criticizes Lenient Sanctions by ICC, BCCI

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has publicly criticized the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, arguing that lenient punishments for on-field physical altercations involving young Indian players could encourage repeat behavior. His comments, made on social media on August 26, 2026, came in response to the sanctions given to opener Yashasvi Jaiswal following a confrontation during the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The incident occurred on the opening day of the Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on August 23, 2026. After being dismissed by Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando for 45 runs, Jaiswal turned back and approached the bowler. The two exchanged words, their helmets made contact, and a push followed before teammates from both sides intervened to separate them. The ICC sanctioned both players under Article 2.12 of its Code of Conduct for inappropriate physical contact. Each was fined 25 percent of their match fee and received one demerit point. Both Jaiswal and Fernando admitted to the breach.

Manjrekar, a former batter turned commentator, questioned the adequacy of this penalty. In a post on X, he addressed the...