Aravinda de Silva
Aravinda de Silva. Image-Twitter

Former Sri Lanka batsman Aravinda de Silva has refuted Arjuna Ranatunga’s comments that the current Team India in Sri Lanka is a second-string side and that it was an insult on BCCI’s part to send a B-team.

Aravinda de Silva, who is also Sri Lanka Cricket’s committee chairman, has said that the Men in Blue, captained by Shikhar Dhawan, is a highly-talented outfit, and indeed, it would be a massive task for Sri Lanka to defeat them.

Sri Lanka are currently coming off losing 5 matches – 3 T20Is and 2 ODIs – in England, and before that they had lost an ODI series to Bangladesh; a change in their captaincy is also on the cards.

Sri Lanka Cricket Team
Sri Lanka Cricket Team (Image Credit: Twitter)

Aravinda de Silva further explained that India – and recently England as well – have been forced to put up two different squads due to the mental, physical, and logistical issues around covid. Hence, the first-choice players won’t always be available to play in pandemic times.

“There is no way we can call this a second-string Indian side. India have enormous talent and this side is as good as any. In fact, it will be a challenge for us to beat this Indian team. We can take enormous amount of confidence going into the T20 World Cup (later this year) if we can beat India,” Aravinda de Silva said during a media session organized by broadcasters Sony Sports.

“Bubble-life is very challenging for the players. It takes a toll mentally. So it is not only India but other countries too are rotating players to give them time to spend with their families. I believe fielding two teams could be the future of international cricket,” he explained.

Dravid has instilled the knowledge and strategy in them: Aravinda de Silva

Shikhar Dhawan and Rahul Dravid
Shikhar Dhawan and Rahul Dravid (Image Credit: Twitter)

Aravinda de Silva also hailed Rahul Dravid’s role in building a quality bench strength in Indian cricket through his work at the under-19 and India A levels. He said that Sri Lanka are looking to rope in former captain Mahela Jayawardene for a similar role.

“Dravid has instilled the knowledge and strategy in them. Similarly, we have been trying to convince Mahela Jayawardene to take up the role of SL U-19 coach but couldn’t find any success,” the 1996 World Cup winner added.

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