Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar wants to find a real reason behind the Asia Cup not being shifted from Colombo to Hambantota despite the rain threat in the venue. The Continental event has been severely affected by the heavy rains in the Island nation.
Extreme weather has had a significant impact on the tournament that is now taking place in Sri Lanka and has caused multiple game interruptions. The choice to co-host the event in Sri Lanka has drawn criticism from many cricket experts and former players wanted the Asia Cup to be moved from Colombo due to the constant heavy rain threat.
Speaking to Sports Today, Sunil Gavaskar questioned the Asian Cricket Council over their decision to host the games in Colombo due to the uncertain weather conditions and feels that it is easy to point fingers at the administration over the venue change and the former Indian batter wants to find the real reason behind the matches not being shifted out of the national capital.
“So administrators had to at the last moment, change it from Hambantota to Colombo despite knowing Colombo could have pretty dicey weather. When I meant players, I didn’t mean players of one team but players of all teams that were supposed to be there,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
“It is easy to point fingers at administrators and they can be easily made scapegoats. It is really important to find out why despite knowing that the weather forecast of Colombo won’t be good, matches were not held in Hambantota,” he added.
The continental event is being hosted by both Pakistan and Sri Lanka as four matches have already been played in Pakistan, with the remaining matches scheduled in Sri Lanka. The grand finale will be hosted by Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo where the weather has been inclement.
But By No Means I Am Saying That Asia Cup Is Less Important – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar also wants the players to be in good space before the game and also urged the players to adapt to the different situations during unforeseen circumstances and said that the Indian team should be looking to win the continental event in Sri Lanka rather than seeing it as a preparation for the ODI World Cup in India.
“Obviously, you want players to be in good mental space. The gym facilities and practice facilities need to be good but at times like these, we need to look at the larger picture Hambantota has less chance of rain, and Colombo has more chance of rain,” Sunil Gavaskar added.
“And when I say experimentation, it is a chance to prepare for the World Cup. But by no means I am saying that the Asia Cup is less important. We also need to win the tournament,” Sunil Gavaskar further added.
As per the reports, the weather conditions in Sri Lanka are expected to improve significantly during the latter part of the tournament. India is scheduled to play against their arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super 4 game of the tournament at Colombo on Sunday.