IND vs SL 2021: Aravinda De Silva contradicts Arjuna Ranatunga's comment on India sending a second-string side

India would be taking on Sri Lanka in limited-overs contests, starting July 13. While Arjuna Ranatunga criticised India's decision to send a second-string side, Aravinda De Silva contradicted it. Here's what the latter had to say.

Team Newsable

Colombo, First Published Jul 9, 2021, 12:49 PM IST

India is gearing up for exciting limited-overs contests in Sri Lanka, starting July 13. The two-week tour is set to comprise of three One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals each.

Meanwhile, since the senior team is currently in England, preparing for the upcoming five-Test series for the Pataudi Trophy, starting August 4, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has sent in an entirely different and irregular squad to the island nation. Consequently, it did not impress legendary former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

IND vs SL 2021: Aravinda De Silva contradicts Arjuna Ranatunga's comment on India sending a second-string side-ayh

However, Ranatunga's comments were not welcomed by all. In the meantime, fellow Lankan legend Aravinda De Silva has contradicted Ranatunga's statement and has asserted that this Indian side is packed with superstars who are equally competent as the senior side.

"India has got enormous amount of talent going around at the moment and there is no way you call any side a second string. If you look at the current way of handling players, looking at current situation worldwide, there is a rotation all over the world and these players being in a bubble has become very challenging for some of these youngsters, it is not easy," he said in virtual interaction, reports PTI.

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"It is very important to keep their minds occupied; maybe, it will come to a stage where rotating some of these players, even some of the officials to that extent, because they are put in some of these bubbles have the toll on some of these youngsters and officials. So, I guess this method might be something for the future. Even if you send a second-string team or third team string, it is not a third-string team; it is a rotational sort of," he added.

Earlier, on Thursday, Sri Lanka cricket had announced the sponsors for the two series. While rising online education platform Unacademy would be sponsoring the ODIs, cryptocurrency brand CoinDCX would be doing the same for the T20Is.

IND vs SL 2021: Aravinda De Silva contradicts Arjuna Ranatunga's comment on India sending a second-string side-ayh

"Cricket has a mass appeal and it pans across generations. As we see crypto evolving in India, awareness and education is key for sustainable growth. By partnering and sponsoring the tournament, we believe we'll be able to bring right kind of awareness in the category," said CoinDCX Marketing Head, Ramalingam Subramanian.

Upon being asked about the second-string Indian side comment by Ranatunga, Subramanian too asserted that this Indian side is solid to challenge the Lankans. Besides, he also attested that even the host has a compact side to challenge the Indians, as the tour is all set to be an exciting cricketing contest.

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Last Updated Jul 9, 2021, 12:49 PM IST