Sri Lanka Coach Demands Review of Cricket Laws After Controversial Super Over

On September 29, 2025, Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya praised the performances of Abhishek Sharma and Pathum Nissanka, while questioning the "grey areas" in cricket laws after a controversial Super Over incident.

Jayasuriya commended Abhishek Sharma's natural and fearless batting approach, stating that the coaching staff has encouraged him to play his natural game. He also lauded Pathum Nissanka's brilliant 107-run innings, which nearly brought Sri Lanka to victory. However, Jayasuriya expressed disappointment over Nissanka's dismissal on the first ball of the final over, calling it an unfortunate turning point.

The coach also revealed that Nissanka was carrying a hamstring injury and was unable to bat in the Super Over. In the Super Over, a bizarre incident occurred where a clear run-out was nullified due to the umpire's initial caught-behind decision, which the rules deemed as the "first decision" that counted.

Jayasuriya explained that according to the rules, once the umpire gave the caught-behind decision, the ball was deemed dead, and the subsequent run-out could not be considered. He stated that this is an area that needs to be reviewed and fine-tuned in the cricket laws.

The coach's comments highlight the need for a closer examination of the rules governing such critical match situations, ensuring that the spirit of the game is upheld and that such controversial incidents do not undermine the integrity of the sport.