India and Sri Lanka will be engaged in a series of limited over games from the 18th of July. India have sent a team to the island that cannot really be called a second string one. However, Ranatunga does not seem to like it. He has been pretty vocal about it. Let me dissect Ranatunga’s criticism of the Indian team.
Ranatunga’s criticism
“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.”
Well, Ranatunga is entitled to his opinion. However, the current team in the island consists of Shikhar Dhawan, the Pandya brothers, Ishan Kishan, Kumar, Prasidh Krishna who were all part of the last one day series against England. Apart from these players, most of the rest have already played for India at various levels. Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, who not too long ago formed a successful combination and won so many games are part of the squad as well. This is not really a second string team. Rather it is the Indian second team. India at the moment has so many cricketers of international repute that it is possible to field 2 and if need be even 3 teams and not suffer for too much of quality deviation.
Ranatunga will hope that the last series result is not repeated
Ranatunga will do well to reflect on the sad state of affairs of his country’s cricket team. Despite the absence of Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah and a host of others, India is still considered red hot favourites to not only win the series but to clean sweep all the games. The last time India toured Sri Lanka, India won all the 9 games. If a similar score is repeated, I wonder Ranatunga will still call this as second string team.
Dinesh Chandimal is asking the Sri Lankan board for answers
There seems to be a problem within the Sri Lankan cricket setup. Dinesh Chandimal is at loggerheads with the board. He has asked for explanation from the board over his position. He has showcased his statistics and has compared with the past players during the same stage of their career. Chandimal remains overlooked from representing Sri Lanka in any format. This has certainly miffed him and he has sought explanation from the Sri Lankan board.
My performance statistics and my health statistics indicate I am more than capable of performing at the highest level at the moment. I am certain given the opportunity, I will be able to perform as expected and contribute towards Sri Lanka cricket in a positive manner. I would like to discuss my future with Sri Lanka cricket and as this is my profession, at this juncture it is very important for me to make the correct and most informed decisions for my future.”
These are sort of problems Ranatunga must be worried about. He will do a great deal of service if he comes back into Lankan cricket and concentrates on running the game in the country.
Sri Lankan cricket is searching for relevance
Sri Lankan cricket is in serious identify crisis. Lack of contracts for the players, lack of money to pay the players. Absolutely no talent coming through. The fans are completely disgruntled of the players. A lot of fans have unfollowed the cricketers on social media. Not that it is going to make any difference to the standing of the players but it will ensure that the fans aren’t that thrilled with the performance of the players and that they are being watched.
“The aim of the campaign is to unfollow failed Sri Lankan cricketers from their verified profiles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,” the popular website said.
Ranatunga’s real task rather than blaming India
The recent defeat in England have completely eroded confidence on the players. Ranatunga has rightly chastised the players.
“We must stop watching matches even on TV. What we saw during the England tour is the culmination of accumulated mismanagement, corruption, and indiscipline. The board is responsible for this sorry state of affairs,” he said according to Island Cricket.
If only he could channel this energy into running the game in the country, Sri Lankan cricket will be better off. Afterall, Ranatunga was the captain when Sri Lanka won the world cup against all odds. He will know a thing or two about hard labour. Whether Ranatunga will be allowed into cricket administration is a different matter.
Sri Lanka’s recent performance does not inspire any confidence. Just 7 wins across 33 games with one of them against the hapless Zimbabwe. The stocks of Sri Lankan cricket has fallen drastically and swiftly.
If this continues in the future, former players like Ranatunga will have to silently accept their fate if when India send a real second string team to the island nation.
Sri Lanka cricket have fallen into an abyss. They are struggling to find any way out of it but are not doing enough either. If it continues for a few more years, then SLC will keep falling down and maybe get lost in the history books soon.
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