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The India vs Sri Lanka first Test may have been the main attraction on the field, but a fiery exchange between Murali Kartik and Sanjay Manjrekar stole the spotlight during the broadcast on Day 3.
The two former Indian cricketers were involved in a playful but heated conversation on Sony Sports Network’s Extraaa Innings on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle. Earlier, Shubman Gill took a screamer at cover to send back Kamindu Mendis in IND vs SL 1st Test.
Murali Kartik starts the banter with a funny dig at Sanjay Manjrekar during India vs Sri Lanka Test
The former Indian spinner Murali Kartik started it all with a hilarious dig at the former batter Sanjay Manjrekar’s expressions, and that comment quickly turned into a full-on verbal battle, with Ajinkya Rahane also getting dragged into the Mumbai connection.
Kartik started the banter by taking a dig at Manjrekar’s expression. He said on Sony Sports Network, “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, please, please, please.”
Sanjay Manjrekar was clearly not impressed and replied, “That's a bad one.” Amid this, Cheteshwar Pujara humbles KL Rahul hype, picks top 3 Indian Test openers.
Ajinkya Rahane distances himself from the argument
The former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane then stepped in and quickly distanced himself from the argument, saying, “Sanjay bhai, let me be clear, I was not involved in this.”
Kartik then brought up their Mumbai connection, while Sanjay Manjrekar turned his attention towards Rahane and praised him as a more pleasant person to talk to.
The commentator said, “Can we cut? Can we make this 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.” Kartik objected, saying, “You can't discriminate.”
Sanjay Manjrekar takes another personal shot at Murali Kartik during heated banter
Sanjay Manjrekar then fired back with another personal jab by saying, “Karthik's voice, looking at himself in the mirror.” To which Kartik said he doesn’t look at himself ever, but it’s him who always looks at him.
The exchange then reached its most spicy moment. Manjrekar fired back by saying, “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.”
THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY! 😂
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 17, 2026
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 pic.twitter.com/hnJ0WPAgok
Niroshan Dickwella and Sonal Dinusha fight back as Sri Lanka reach 214/5
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka showed some fight after India took control of the first Test in Galle. At tea on Day 3, Sri Lanka reached 214/5, with Niroshan Dickwella (72*) and Sonal Dinusha (62*) putting together a crucial partnership to stop India from running away with the game.
India had earlier finished their first innings on 462. The visitors had started Day 2 strongly after ending the previous day in a good position. Devdutt Padikkal was the star with the bat as he played a brilliant knock of 167 runs and helped India build a big total.
India was 460/9 at the end of Day 2, with Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna still at the crease. Rain had also reduced the amount of playing time, giving Sri Lanka some relief. India added only two more runs before losing their last wicket and were bowled out for 462.
