Manjrekar criticises ICC and BCCI over responses to Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal incidents

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticised the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India in New Delhi on August 26, 2026, over how they have handled disciplinary breaches involving youngsters Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. He warned that leniency could encourage repetition of such conduct.

Manjrekar posted on X directly addressing the two bodies, writing: "Dear @icc & @bcci…Vaibhav for Ind A recently & now Jaiswal… if you keep letting them get away with such behaviour, you train them to repeat such behaviour. It's not good for the sport & crucially their own future too. 🙏" Both players have been involved in heated on-field confrontations and attracted public criticism.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point, as was Sri Lanka seamer Asitha Fernando, following an altercation on day one of the second Test in Colombo. The incident occurred after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal in the 17th over of India's first innings; the pair exchanged words, Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal and the two made head contact when Jaiswal leaned in.

Ahead of play on day two in Colombo, Jaiswal defended his actions, saying: "If you don't know what he said, then please don't make your judgment if anyone cross the line we need to let them know this India will fight and reply." That statement was issued in response to criticism of his conduct after the dismissal.

In June, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was involved in a near-physical confrontation with a Sri Lanka A player following the ill-tempered finish to a one-day tri-series that India A lost after a Super Over. India needed 17 to win the Super Over but managed nine runs against slinger Kaguthas Mathulan; Sooryavanshi faced the final three deliveries and scored six runs, including a boundary.

Television footage showed the Sri Lankan side celebrating as Sooryavanshi and his partner Suryansh Shedge returned to the pavilion, after which Sooryavanshi appeared to charge at Mathulan before teammate Vishen Halambage intervened. Reports note the likely trigger was something the bowler said after stopping Sooryavanshi for three deliveries; the Indian was seen pushing a fielder who then moved towards him, and senior Sri Lankan Niroshan Dickwella stepped in to prevent escalation.

Sooryavanshi drew criticism for his behaviour but, according to the report, did not face any disciplinary sanction from the BCCI.