Second string Indian team coming here is an insult to Sri Lankan cricket: Arjuna Ranatunga

The selectors have named the second string Indian team for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. Shikhar Dhawan has been appointed the skipper for the tour while the limited-overs specialists and IPL performers have been rewarded with a place in the team. With major players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah among many others in England, the selectors had to pick some new players for this tour.

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While many are excited to watch a young Indian side perform in the island nation, former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga is not happy. He feels that India sending a second string team for three ODIs and as many T20Is is an insult to Sri Lankan cricket. He also lashed out at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for agreeing to host an under-strength Indian team,

"This is a second string Indian team and their coming here is an insult on our cricket. I blame the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs," he said according to Indian Express.

India will be playing a five-match Test series in England starting from August 4 and had to travel UK to feature in the WTC Final against New Zealand last month. Due to latest travel restrictions, thanks to COVID-19, it became virtually impossible for the team to reach Sri Lanka and then again come back to England for the Test series.

"India sent their best team to England and sent a weaker side to play here. I blame our board for that," Ranatunga further added. As far as India's Sri Lanka tour is concerned, both the teams will first play the ODI series starting from July 13 while the T20I rubber will commence on July 21 with the tour to conclude on July 25.