Former captain Arjuna Ranatunga said that second-string Indian players touring Sri Lanka in a limited-overs format are like showing insult to their cricket. Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka world cup winning captain in the year 1996. He also harshly criticized the SLC for agreeing to host the series with only second-string player’s available in this India tour of Sri Lanka. As skipper of current Indian Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma along with some other formidable players will miss out on this tour as they are in England.
The current second-string Indian player’s touring Sri Lanka in this limited-over format is insulted to Sri Lankan cricket. Former world cup winning captain for Sri Lanka blames the administration for their approval to play with the second-string Indian players. He also felt this decision was made due to current television marketing needs.
It was first the first time that India decided to go with different teams in different formats at in same time but different parts of the world. The Indian test side led by skipper Virat Kohli is preparing in England to play against England in a 5 match test series. There will be a limited-overs side led by senior player Shikar Dhawan Which will play 3 ODI and 3 T20 against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.
Many other stars will be missing in the limited-over format against Sri Lanka, a few of them, namely Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kl Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, who’s known for playing limited-overs format well. These guys are part of the Indian squad that plays England in August. Arjuna Ranatunga also felt that India has sent a strong side to play England and a weaker side to play against Sri Lanka.
The white ball tour will be starting on 13th July. The current Sri-Lankan team is having a very poor run. The T20 series they lost to England was the 5th T20 series loss in a row. He blamed the administration for the current Sri Lankan team discipline. He also mentioned that when he was in charge, he has never let things happen like this.
Arjun Ranatunga was the Head of the interim committee politically appointed in the year 2007-2008.
