Jaiswal's confusing run-out sparks sportsmanship row [Watch]

The first Test between India and Sri Lanka is underway in Galle, with India choosing to bat first after winning the toss. Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a positive start, but Jaiswal was dismissed in a confusing run-out on the last ball of the 11th over.

Jaiswal was run out after a mix-up with KL Rahul while attempting a single. Sri Lankan debutant Keshara Nuwantha tried to stop the ball and accidentally knocked Jaiswal off balance. Jaiswal fell to the ground before getting back up, but confusion between the two batters eventually left both at the same end.

Jaiswal had looked comfortable before the dismissal and was expected to play a big innings. However, he returned to the pavilion after scoring 32 runs from 37 balls, including five fours. The unusual run-out has now sparked a debate among fans over sportsmanship and whether Sri Lanka should have completed the dismissal.

Watch the video of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s confusing run-out below :

How Keshara Nuwantha's dive sent Jaiswal sprawling and ended his stay

Keshara Nuwantha was bowling the final ball of the 11th over when KL Rahul played the ball towards the bowler’s end and set off for a single. Nuwantha tried to stop the ball but collided with Jaiswal, who lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Rahul had already started running, but Jaiswal was initially confused and stopped. After getting back up, Jaiswal appeared ready to run again, and Rahul responded to the signal by moving forward. However, Jaiswal suddenly turned back towards his crease, leaving both batters at the same end.

Prabath Jayasuriya quickly threw the ball towards wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who completed the run-out after Rahul reached the crease first. This was Jaiswal’s third Test run-out since 2024, after previous dismissals against Australia at the MCG and the West Indies in Delhi.

Fans and ex-cricketers split over whether the dismissal was in the "spirit of cricket"

The unusual run-out of Yashasvi Jaiswal has sparked a debate among cricket fans and former cricketers. While some believe the dismissal was harsh, others argue that Sri Lanka were well within their rights to complete the run-out under the Laws of Cricket.

Under the laws, a batter can be run out if they are out of their ground when the wicket is fairly broken by the fielding side. The law does not require the fielding team to warn a batter before attempting a run-out in such a situation.

However, the incident has raised questions about the "Spirit of Cricket" because Jaiswal was knocked off balance after Keshara Nuwantha’s dive, leading to confusion between the two batters. Fans remain divided over whether Sri Lanka should have allowed Jaiswal to return safely or followed the laws and completed the dismissal. Here is how the fans reacted on X:

India's innings at Galle: What the run-out means for day 1 momentum

The run-out came after a confusing moment between the two Indian batters. Both KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal ended up at the non-striker’s end after their mix-up, while Prabath Jayasuriya threw the ball towards wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Dickwella and Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva briefly discussed whether to appeal before Dickwella removed the bails. Replays showed that Rahul had grounded his bat first, leaving Jaiswal short of his crease. Jaiswal was eventually dismissed for 32 runs from 37 balls.

Despite the early setback, India continued to build their innings in Galle. At the end of the morning session, India were 90/1 after 23.5 overs, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 27 and Devdutt Padikkal on 29. The visitors will look to maintain the momentum in the next session.