“Second-String Indian Team Coming Here Is An Insult On Our Cricket” – Arjuna Ranatunga

Cricket World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga is disappointed to see Sri Lanka facing a second-string Indian side. India’s main team is in England for the Test series, So India sends their second-string squad for Sri Lanka Tour. Arjuna opined that sending a comparatively weaker team of India is an insult to Sri Lankan cricket.

India’s first-choice captains Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane are in England for Test matches. So Shikhar Dhawan has been given the responsibility to lead India in the White ball series against Sri Lanka. The second squad of India contains as many as six uncapped Indians in the tour. The three T20Is and three ODIs tours will begin from 13 to July.

Former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga blamed the Sri Lanka Cricket administration for playing the series due to “television marketing needs”. While talking to some reporters at his residence, the Ranatunga said:

“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. India sent their best team to England and sent a weaker side to play here. I blame our board for that.”

Touchdown Sri Lanka 📍🇱🇰#TeamIndia 🇮🇳 #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/f8oSX7EToh

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 28, 2021

The Sri Lankan squad is currently in England for the white ball series. Sri Lanka got whitewashed in the three-match T20I series against England. Also, they are trailing 2-0 in the three-match ODI series. The last ODI of the tour will be held on 4th July. After finishing this series the team will return home for the limited-overs series against India.

5 Sri Lanka players refuse to sign tour-based contracts ahead of the India series

Currently, The Sri Lankan players are at a standstill with their Sri Lankan cricket board for the annual contracts. Sri Lanka Cricket board came up with a new model of contract. According to the contract, players will be rewarded based on their fitness standards and on-field performances.

Meanwhile, many cricketers are against the deal and are in no mood to accept the contact. Due to this matter players have been playing on temporary tour-based contracts. The Sri Lankan cricketers signed the tour-based contracts before heading to England for the series.

Also, five Sri Lankan cricketers who are not part of the England tour have refused to sign the tour-based deal too, and because of this, they are out of contention for selection for the India series. The five players who have refused to sign tour contracts are Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, and Kasun Rajitha.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 win the 2nd ODI by 8 wickets to go up 2-0 in the #ENGvSL ODI series. pic.twitter.com/nCJ3vNnybx

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 1, 2021