India vs Sri Lanka ODI series 2014 – 1996 World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has lashed out at his current team and the board officials for the hapless show back in India.
1996 World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has lashed out at his current team and the board officials for the hapless show back in India.
His comments come after Sri Lanka lost the fourth ODI at the Eden Gardens following Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 264-run knock.
“In trying to please India but they have taken Sri Lanka Cricket into a depressing situation. Jayasuriya (Chairman of selectors) and Atapattu (the national coach) made us believe that the Indian tour would come in good stead for our World Cup preparations,” Ranatunga said.
He further adds, “This has been proved false now. We were aware that the Sri Lanka team was attending a fitness programme when the decision was made to go on the Indian tour. These are the results of poor planning.”
Angelo Mathews was also very critical of his team’s below par showing in the ODI series and claimed that it as ‘embarrassing’ for not competing in the series at all. But they are not to be blamed. West Indies were the official tourists here but the former’s spat with their Board allowed BCCI to ‘invite’ Sri Lanka to conclude the remaining part of the tour. Prior to the commencement, Sri Lanka and its players claimed their unhappiness for selecting such quick dates.
But even as Rohit Sharma’s double ton and his highest scoring ODI knock might have some bearing on the Sri Lankans, the latter must not lose hope. For India and Virat Kohli, the real Test awaits Down Under. The likes of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and rest of the pace department might not allow the same freedom for the Men in Blue than the Sri Lankans. India toured South Africa this year on back of a brilliant home series against Australia last year but even before MS Dhoni could assert some pressure, the Proteas ran through the Indians.
For all the big talks around Virat Kohli, his captaincy and Rohit Sharma; India must keep their heads up and roll up the sleeves for a good showing against the Aussies.
