Sanjay Manjrekar and Murali Kartik [Source: @SonySportsNetwk/x]India and Sri Lanka cricket teams are in the middle of a hard-fought Test match at the Galle International Stadium in Galle. Combating each other’s spinners as well as constant rain interruptions, both teams continue to trade blows even though the visitors gained a sizeable 178-run lead at the halfway stage of the match. It now appears that certain battle lines were drawn outside the field as well, within the confines of the expert commentary panel, to be specific. On Day 3 of the Galle thriller, prominent Indian commentators and former cricketers Murali Kartik and Sanjay Manjrekar had a verbal go at each other in a tense live TV exchange. Shots fired between Sanjay Manjrekar and Murali KartikOn Day 3 of the first Test match between India and hosts Sri Lanka in Galle, Indian cricket commentators Murali Kartik and Sanjay Manjrekar had a verbal go at each other in the expert commentary panel.It all started out when Kartik objected to Manjrekar’s ‘pout face’ in a rather friendly manner. The former Indian batter took the remarks seriously and urged the cameraman to shift the focus to fellow commentator Ajinkya Rahane instead, considering the latter had a “more pleasant face”.Also Read- Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Cut-Shot Obsession: A Flaw That Could Derail His India CareerMurali Kartik said, “A gentle request and a big request from one and all here: 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.”Taking a swipe at Kartik, Sanjay Manjrekar responded, “Can we make this a split screen and shift the camera to the other guy because he is a much more pleasant person to talk to, and he has got a much more pleasant face as well.”Sony Sports Network @SonySportsNetwk THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY! 😂 Shots were fired, comebacks followed, and our Extraaa Innings panel had an absolute laugh! 😅 Watch #SLvIND, 1st Test | Day 3, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #BeautifulGameOfTestCricket Aug 17, 2026, 2:11 PM A look at Sanjay Manjrekar’s history of public spatsWhile it was Murali Kartik who seemingly triggered the verbal spat between him and Sanjay Manjrekar, the latter of the two former Indian cricketers has been involved in several other public spats and controversies over the years. Back in late 2019, Manjrekar and fellow seasoned commentator Harsha Bhogle argued over the visibility of the pink ball at a time when Team India was hosting Bangladesh in a historic pink-ball Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.Earlier that same year, the former Indian cricketer criticised all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja by describing him as a “bits and pieces” player. Jadeja responded sharply on social media, thus leading to a fallout between the two personalities. When Murali Kartik sparked controversy in IPLA couple of years ago, Murali Kartik also sparked a huge controversy with a scathing remark on RCB fast bowler Yash Dayal during the IPL 2024 season in India. At the time, Kartik made a controversial on-air remark against Dayal, saying “someone’s trash is someone’s treasure.” The comment referred to Dayal getting hit for five successive sixes by KKR middle-order batter Rinku Singh.With both commentators known for their outspoken views, the on-air exchange added another intriguing subplot to an already eventful India vs Sri Lanka Test match.Also Read- Harry Brook Snubbed As ICC Declares Player Of The Month Winner For July 2026
