Indian Cricket Bats Controversy: Sri Lanka Questions Equipment Fairness

Sri Lankan cricketer Bhanuka Rajapaksa has ignited a fresh debate in international cricket by accusing Indian players of using “special bats” that provide an unfair competitive advantage. Following Sri Lanka’s 20-run victory over Ireland in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Rajapaksa claimed Indian batters possess equipment superior to what other nations can access, describing them as having “a layer of rubber applied.”

Professional Equipment Customization Explained

The controversy centers on “player edition” bats—customized equipment tailored to individual cricketers’ specifications. Stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma use personally designed bats shaped and weighted to match their swing mechanics, strength, and timing. Kohli’s bat features a high, thick spine that tapers toward the toe, while Sharma prefers a mid-to-low swell design. These bats remain unavailable to ordinary buyers because they’re advertising assets controlled by individual players rather than retail products.

ICC Regulations and Historical Context

The International Cricket Council maintains strict regulations requiring bats be constructed solely from wood, adhering to precise size and material limits. Any power-enhancing substances breach these rules and are detected through routine inspections at international matches. This isn’t the first such allegation; Pakistan’s Hasan Raza made similar claims during the 2023 World Cup, suggesting Indian teams received different equipment. Cricket legends including Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Shoaib Malik dismissed those accusations, with Malik advising teams to “learn from them rather than think negatively.”

Rajapaksa’s allegations lack substantive evidence and contradict established ICC oversight mechanisms designed to ensure fair play across international cricket competitions.