Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra slam Arjuna Ranatunga's fixing claims

Gautam Gambhir and Ashish Nehra, members of the 2011 World Cup winning India squad, rubbished all allegations made by Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain, regarding the final of the tournament. In 2011 World Cup final, India comprehensively beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets after chasing down a competitive total of 274.

Gambhir and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni starred with the bat and helped India to their first World Cup title in over two decades. Earlier yesterday, Ranatunga had posted a Facebook video demanding special inquiry in the final. He thinks that the match was fixed and that India were bound to win the match.

In the video, he said: “I was also in India giving commentaries at the time. When we lost, I was distressed and I had a doubt. We must investigate what happened to Sri Lanka at the 2011 World Cup final. I cannot reveal everything now, but one day I will. There must be an inquiry.”

His comments did not make some of the Indian cricketers disappointed as in a way it undermines their efforts.

Gambhir and Nehra react

Gambhir, who top scored for India in the final with 97, opined that Ranatunga should be able to back his allegations with evidence. He told PTI, “I am surprised by Arjuna Ranatunga’s allegations. These are serious comments by a very respectable voice in international cricket. I think to clear the air, he should back his claims with proofs.”

Nehra, an integral member of the squad, said, “I don’t wish to dignify Ranatunga’s comments by airing my views on the issue. There is no end to these kinds of statements. If I question Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup victory, is it in good taste? So let’s not get into it. But yes, it is disappointing when someone of his stature says something like this.”