Sri Lankan cricketer Bhanuka Rajapaksa has sparked controversy after making bold claims about the bats used by Indian players, igniting debate among cricket fans and analysts. His remarks have raised questions about whether Indian batters may be using equipment different from that available to other international cricketers.
According to media reports, Rajapaksa shared his views during a recent interview with Cricwire on NewsWireLK. While discussing how Indian players have redefined power-hitting in modern cricket, he suggested that their bats appear to be far superior to standard models. He claimed the bats seem unusually powerful, even comparing them to having a rubber-like layer that enhances performance, though he admitted he could not explain how such a design would work.
Rajapaksa further alleged that these bats are not commercially available and are accessible only to select players. He said this belief is common within cricketing circles and hinted that such equipment could give Indian batters an edge, allowing them to hit bigger shots with less effort than others.
So far, neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor any Indian cricketer has responded officially to these allegations.
Rajapaksa, known for his aggressive and attacking style of play, represented Sri Lanka in five One Day Internationals and 45 T20 Internationals between 2019 and 2025. During this time, he scored 89 runs in ODIs and accumulated 744 runs in T20Is, including four half-centuries.
Across his broader T20 career, he has amassed 4,187 runs in 225 matches at a strike rate of 136.83, registering one century and 17 fifties, with a highest score of 100. He has also competed in several global leagues, including the LPL, CPL, PSL, SA20, BPL, CLT20, and IPL, gaining extensive experience worldwide.
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