Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister Alleges 2011 World Cup Final Was Fixed
Jun 18, 2020 at 5:17 PM
Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has made a startling revelation that the 2011 World Cup grand final between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai was fixed. He was the sports minister at that time and has become the second Sri Lankan after former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga to claim the fixing in the finale.
Aluthgamage opine that Sri Lanka would have won the match, but they sold it. He added that he would not disclose any player’s name. However, he is certain that some people were involved in fixing the marquee-clash of World Cup 2011. Also, he didn’t provide any evidence of his stunning statement.
“In 2011, we were to win, but we sold the match. I feel I can talk about it now. I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved,” he was quoted as saying in an interview with News 1st.
World Cup 2011: India lifted the trophy after 28 years of wait:
In 2011, Sri Lanka for the second time in a row reached the grand finale of the 2011World Cup but failed to register the victory in front of the MS Dhoni-led side.
Sri Lanka had set up the target of 274 runs after the skipper Mahela Jaywerdene scored 103 runs. In reply, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag lost their wickets within seven overs. Sehwag was out for a duck while Sachin scored just 18 runs.
MS Dhoni saw India home in style at 2011 World Cup:
However, Gautam Gambhir took away the game from the visitors at Wankhede stadium. He set up partnerships with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni before losing his wicket to Thisara Perera. He scored match-winning 97 runs while Dhoni guided the team to victory after hitting a six.
India lifted the World Cup trophy after the wait of 28 years. On the other hand, Sri Lanka consecutively for the second time faced defeat in the World Cup final.