Cricketer turned Commentator Aakash Chopra has questioned former Sri Lanka Cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga’s comment about India sending a second-string side to tour Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Arjuna Ranatunga had blamed the Sri Lanka Cricket administration for agreeing to play against a “second-string Indian side“.
“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 said.
In a video shared on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel, he agreed that some prominent names are missing from India’s squad for the Sri Lanka tour, but it doesn’t lack quality.
“It is absolutely right that it is not the main team, the likes of Bumrah, Shami, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja are not there. But is it really like a B-grade team?”
“India’s probable ODI XI has played 471 ODIs in total, of course, this is not the first team. When Sri Lanka picks the team, it will be interesting to see how many matches in all they have played. When you try to match experience to experience, it will be a very exciting exercise.”
Sri Lanka Cricket issues a statement saying that that the touring Indian white-ball side is a 'strong squad'.
The statement comes hours after Arjuna Ranatunga lashing out at SLC for hosting a 'second string' Indian side. @sportstarweb#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/gZQMRkV1f3
— Shayan Acharya (@ShayanAcharya) July 2, 2021
Sri Lanka will have to look inwards as well: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra also said that Sri Lankan Cricket will have to look inwards as well as they are struggling at the moment in World Cricket.
“Sri Lanka will have to look inwards as well. Let’s be honest, Afghanistan doesn’t have to play the World T20 qualifiers, you have to. This is a reality. The truth is that Sri Lankan cricket is really struggling at the moment, even if you look at the England numbers now. There is a possibility they may not qualify for the T20 World Cup, that they do not come in the main draw at all. You may not be there in the Super 12. That is also a reality and Afghanistan is already there,” he added.
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