Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has recently referred to the Indian team that has travelled the Island nations as the ‘second string’ team, which didn’t go down well with many. While the Virat Kohli-led Indian team is already in England for the five-match Test series, a new team will be played under Shikhar Dhawan’s captaincy and Rahul Dravid’s guidance. Meanwhile, while giving a befitting reply to Arjuna Ranatunga, former India spinner Venkatpathy Raju has said that a ‘responsible cricketer’ like him shouldn’t have made such a remark as well.
In an exclusive to Hindustan Times, he said: “I’m not a firm believer of this word ‘second-string’. They are all aspiring cricketers; you can’t really call them second-string. That’s were Ranatunga went wrong. He should not have said second-string. That was an unwanted comment from such a great cricketer.”
“He should have been happy that a team is coming and touring Sri Lanka during these tough times. Sri Lanka are also trying to form a team, try youngsters for the T20 World Cup. So, I was a little surprised that such a senior and great cricketer would refer this Indian side as a second-string. People are waiting for cricket to happen,” Venkatpathy Raju again shared.
ALSO READ: Kapil Dev Questions The Changing Mindset Of Players
Earlier Arjun Ranatunga had said: “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. India sent their best team to England and sent a weaker side to play here. I blame our board for that.”
Meanwhile, the youngsters are ready to take on Sri Lanka. While six new uncapped players have been added to the squad, the eyes will be on Prithvi Shaw. The talented youngster Prithvi Shaw has started his international career with a bang, his injuries and lack of form saw him out of the squad soon after as well. So far he has played only five Tests and three ODIs ever since he made his debut a few years back.
READ HERE: Kasi Viswanathan Reveals The Future Of MS Dhoni With CSK
But he has worked o his batting skill and returned to form during the domestic series earlier this year. He smashed a record 827 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and emerged as the leading run-scorer. Later, he maintained his sublime form in the IPL 2021 as well. And, now, he will take on Sri Lanka as well.
