Arjuna Ranatunga, former Sri Lanka captain had made a loose comment over the touring Indian team recently, which was not received very well by the India former players. He had called the relatively young and less experienced team lead by Shikhar Dhawan a ‘second string’ side.
In fact, Sri Lanka Cricket Board had to intervene as well and clarified that ‘India is not a second-string side’. Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria too has lambasted Arjuna Ranatunga for his comments and said that it wasn’t expected from him.
Arjuna Ranatunga Made The Statement Regarding 2nd String Indian Team Being Sent To Remain In Limelight: Danish Kaneria
Many former cricketers have slammed Arjuna Ranatunga and given him a reality check that despite a second-stringed Indian team in the island nation at present, for 3 ODIs and as many T20Is, they are still favourites and a daunting force versus Kusal Perera-led Lanka, who ended their England tour winless recently.
“First of all, Mr. Ranatunga. You have made this statement to remain in limelight. Because only India is a team right now that has a pool of 50-60 players, strong enough to field two different sides.
“And even in this team, players such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Hardik Pandya keep representing India consistently,” Danish Kaneria said on his YouTube channel.
“So I just want to say that I feel sorry to hear this coming from you. You’re such a big name and yet, you made such a statement and then fell flat on your face with Sri Lanka Cricket responding to you.”
Arjuna Ranatunga’s comments make less sense at a time when the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) is in desperate need of funds whereas the national side is in a state of turmoil, being thrashed left, right and centre across formats.
Sri Lanka just ended their limited-overs tour of England, where they were whitewashed by Eoin Morgan in three T20Is and lost the three ODIs 2-0. Incessant rain saved them in the final encounter after Lankans folded for 166.
Danish Kaneria: Such A Statement Wasn’t Needed
Danish Kaneria went on to say that the SLC should be thankful to the BCCI that they even sent a team to Sri Lanka, as the latter is going to a lean patch as far as their on-field performance is concerned.
“Sri Lanka cricket is on a decline. It’s almost as of they’ve forgotten how to play cricket. You should be happy that India is sending its team to lift you out of a financial crisis. The board will get sponsors, funds, and whatnot,” Kaneria pointed out.
“Don’t think such a statement was needed. These things only create friction between boards. I think Ranatunga must have learned his lesson or when India would hammer Sri Lanka comprehensively, then he’ll understand.”
The upcoming India tour of Sri Lanka, starting from July 13, may comprise India’s second-stringed side consisting of as many as 6 new faces but they still have enough firepower, experience and a good mix of promising youth to challenge and dominate a struggling Sri Lankan side. Hence, the India home series is still more of a challenge for lowly-ranked Sri Lanka, rather than India.
India begins their Lanka tour with a three-match ODI series, followed by three T20Is. All the games will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.