Sri Lankan cricketer Bhanuka Rajapaksa has made a startling allegation regarding the bats used by Indian players amid the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
2026. Rajapaksa claimed that Indian cricketers use thicker bats with an added layer of rubber, unlike players from other teams, which he believes helps them generate extra power while batting.
Rajapaksa’s comments come at a time when India are enjoying a remarkable run of dominance in T20Is. The Men in Blue have not lost a T20I series in over two years and capped off a historic campaign by winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States without suffering a single defeat.
India have continued that strong form into the ongoing edition of the tournament. In their recent match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, they registered a convincing victory over the United States.
"Indian players have bats that are far superior to the best bats we get. It feels as though a layer of rubber has been applied. I can’t imagine how that’s possible. These bats can’t even be bought by others — all players know this,” said Rajapaksa on a local news channel as quoted by NewsWire X handle.
India have won a remarkable 34 of their 40 T20Is since their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. They have also been outstanding in the 50-over format, winning the 2025 Champions Trophy without a single defeat and finishing as runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup. India currently boast four batters inside the top ten of the ICC ODI rankings and three players in the top ten of the T20I rankings, underlining their dominance across formats.
In their opening fixture of the T20 World Cup 2026, India were put under early pressure by the USA, who reduced them to 77/6 after they opted to bat first. Captain Suryakumar Yadav then played a captain’s knock, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 84 off 49 balls to steer India to a competitive total of 161 in their 20 overs.
The Indian bowlers then delivered a disciplined performance to restrict the USA to just 132/9 in their allotted 20 overs, sealing a comfortable 29-run victory. India will next face Namibia in their Group A clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, February 12.
