Asia Cup 2023: Why Super 4 Matches Didn't Shift Out Of Colombo Despite Rain Threat Sunil Gavaskar Calls For 'Real Story'

Former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar urged to find the real reason why the Super Four matches of Asia Cup 2023 were not shifted to Hambantota by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) even after there were reports of rain in Colombo. Gavaskar said that maybe the players didn’t want to travel to another venue.

While speaking to Sports Today, the former India batsman said that one should find out the real reason why the matches were not shifted to another venue even though there is a prediction of rain in the forthcoming Super Four matches in Asia Cup 2023.

“Well, somebody should find the real story. It appears from cricketing points, that it was probably the players who didn’t want to go to Hambantota. So administrators had to at the last moment, change it from Hambantota to Colombo despite knowing Colombo could have pretty dicey weather. When I meant players, I didn’t mean players of one team but players of all teams that were supposed to be there,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

It is easy to point fingers at administrators: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar backed the ACC officials and said that it is easy to question the authority and to make them the scapegoat.

Gavaskar further added that it is important to find the real reason why it was not changed even after knowing the weather forecast.

“It is easy to point fingers at administrators and they can be easily made scapegoats. It is really important to find out why despite knowing that the weather forecast of Colombo won’t be good, matches were not held in Hambantota. Obviously, you want players to be in good mental space.

“The gym facilities and practice facilities need to be good but at times like these, we need to look at the larger picture Hambantota has less chance of rain and Colombo has more chance of rain. And when I say experimentation, it is a chance to prepare for the World Cup. But by no means I am saying that the Asia Cup is less important. We also need to win the tournament,” Sunil Gavaskar added.

Rohit Sharma-led India will lock horns against Babar Azam’s Pakistan in the third Super Four match in the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday (September 10th) at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.