'India not 2nd string team': Sri Lanka Cricket responds after Arjuna Ranatunga slams it

Colombo, July 3: After former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga passed comments on the current Indian team touring Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan cricket board released a statement saying the team led by Shikhar Dhawan is a ‘strong squad’ and not a ‘second-string team,’ as claimed.” Their statement comes after Ranatunga said it is an ‘insult’ that India have sent a ‘second-string’ team for the Sri Lanka series.

 

 

In their statement, SLC said, "Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that despite claims by various parties… Out of the 20-member India squad, 14 players have represented India across all formats or in some form. (Test, ODI, or T20i), and not a ‘second string team,’ as claimed.“This is the latest norm in the cricketing world, especially the full ICC Member countries, as they maintain specialist squads and players for each format of the game."

 

 

This comes after Ranatunga’s criticized the Lankan board for agreeing to play the series for marketing needs. “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 had told reporters at his residence, according to news agency PTI.

 

 

With key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in England for the upcoming Test series, the team in Sri Lanka is being led by opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan and features some uncapped players. India are set to play three ODIs and three T20Is against Sri Lanka starting from July 13th.