Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga has slammed the country’s cricket Board for agreeing to host a “second string Indian team” in a white-ball series later this month, saying that it is nothing short of an “insult”.
India and Sri Lanka are due to compete in three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals beginning July 13. With India’s major stars like skipper Virat Kohli and his limited-overs deputy Rohit Sharma in England for an upcoming Test series, the team here is being led by opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan and features half a dozen uncapped players.
“This is a second string Indian team and their coming here is an insult on our cricket. I blame the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs,” Ranatunga said.
“India sent their best team to England and sent a weaker side to play here. I blame our Board for that,” added the legendary captain, who led Sri Lanka to the 1996 ODI world title.
India have just completed their compulsory quarantine in the island nation and would play the home team in the first ODI on July 13.
Ranatunga also spoke about the current poor run of the Lankan team in the international arena. He demanded the overhauling of the local administration and advocated the appointment of an interim committee to manage Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
