Former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Murali Kartik became involved in a tense on-air exchange during the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle, with an initially playful remark escalating into a series of personal jabs. The pair, both working on the broadcast, found themselves at odds again the following day during a discussion over India’s approach and the threat posed by the weather.
A light-hearted remark turns personal
The first exchange came after the opening session on Day Three, with Kartik in the studio alongside former India Captain Ajinkya Rahane while Manjrekar was reporting from Galle. What began as banter quickly became more personal between the two former players.
Things got a bit ugly as Manjrekar suggested that Rahane has a pleasant face, unlike Kartik. pic.twitter.com/SoXPtLbYls
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) August 18, 2026
Speaking on air, former India cricketer Murali Kartik said, “A gentle request and a big request from one and all. You have the pout of the century, but because of your pout, we are not able to understand what you say. So please limit that pout.”
Manjrekar brought Rahane into the exchange as he responded to Kartik.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said on air, “That’s a bad one. Can we make the split screen and shift the camera to the other guy? Because he’s a much more pleasant person to talk to and he’s got a much more pleasant face as well. I just wonder, ‘superb, superb, superb’, Murali Kartik’s voice, looking at himself in the mirror.”
The back-and-forth continued between the two broadcasters as Rahane and the show’s host listened on.
Kartik replied, “I don’t look at myself, ever. That’s you. That is only you. If anyone knows you, that is only you, people who have played with you, people who have worked.”
Manjrekar continued, “Because there is an incentive, there is an incentive to look in the mirror. For you, I can understand it’s not very motivating, anyway. We are both going to cross lines here and social media will have a field day.”
On-air tension carries into India tactics debate
The pair disagreed again on Day Four after rain interrupted play, but the focus had shifted from personal banter to India’s strategy in the Test. With India seeking a victory that would support their World Test Championship ambitions, the discussion turned to how much time the visitors needed to leave themselves to dismiss Sri Lanka.
Manjrekar noted, “If India can’t get Sri Lanka all out within the target in 80 or 90 overs, they don’t deserve to win. They don’t deserve to get to No. 1 or No. 2 in the WTC points table. We can assume India will get at least 70 to 80 overs.”
The possibility of further interruptions became a point of contention between the pair.
Kartik countered, “I don’t know whether you heard me or not. With the weather around, are you assured of 80 to 90 overs? That is all I am saying.”
Manjrekar puts focus on India’s bowling attack
India had posted 462 in their first innings before dismissing Sri Lanka for 284 to establish a 174-run lead. The visitors then scored 193 in their second innings, setting the hosts 372 for victory.
Manjrekar stated, “We can’t be assured. We have to leave a lot to the weather. We might not get a full quota of overs today and tomorrow. With India’s bowling line-up and the way India batted in the first innings, they would fancy their chances. We have to keep it simple. This Sri Lanka batting line-up is without Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. If India’s bowling attack can’t get Sri Lanka out in 80-odd overs on this kind of pitch, we have to accept the fact that it was not so much about the Indian batters batting slowly, but about the quality and potency of the bowling attack. I think that is where we have to point our fingers.”
The debate then turned to how a more substantial loss of playing time could alter the assessment of India’s approach.
Manjrekar added, “If we get only 50 or 60 overs, I would consider whether India could have declared earlier. But I don’t see that as the sole reason if something untoward happens tomorrow and India don’t win this Test match.”
Kartik offered the opposing view on India’s use of the available time.
Kartik maintained, “We need to give ourselves enough time. We need to keep in mind that rain has a role to play. That’s all I am saying. We didn’t gain much by batting that extra half-hour.”
India push for victory in Galle
Rishabh Pant had accelerated India’s second innings with 66 from 69 balls, including two sixes. His innings made him the first Indian to reach 100 sixes in Test cricket and the fastest player in the world to reach the milestone.
Sri Lanka were four wickets down before reaching 100 in their pursuit of 372. With the weather remaining a factor in Galle, India were attempting to convert the advantage they had built across the first four days into victory.
