India in Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga criticises SLC for hosting ‘second-string Indian team’

Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga has slammed the country’s cricket board for agreeing to host a “second-string Indian team” in a white-ball series later this month, saying that it is nothing short of an “insult”.

India and Sri Lanka are due to compete in three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals beginning July 13.

With India’s major stars like skipper Virat Kohli and his limited-overs deputy Rohit Sharma in England for an upcoming Test series, the team here is being led by opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan and features half a dozen uncapped players.

“This is a second-string Indian team and their coming here is an insult to our cricket. I blame the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs,” Ranatunga, a government minister until two years ago, told reporters at his residence.

“India sent their best team to England and sent a weaker side to play here. I blame our board for that,” added the legendary batsman, who led Sri Lanka to the 1996 ODI world title.

The visiting team has just completed its compulsory quarantine and would play the home team in the first ODI on July 13.

India’s National Cricket Academy chief and celebrated former captain Rahul Dravid is the head…

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