Sri Lanka likely to name second-string squad for India series if players don’t sign contracts

The Islanders are set to name the squad after the third and final ODI against England.

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Sri Lanka. (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)

Sri Lanka has been in the doldrums of late due to multiples reasons. Amidst the cases surrounding the bio-bubble breach, their players and the country’s board are at loggerheads over annual contracts. The pay dispute might even lead to the Lankans naming a second-string squad for the ODI and T20I series against India, starting July 13 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Pramodya Wickramasinghe, Sri Lanka Cricket’s Chairman of Selectors, was clear cut in saying that the players will have to sign the contracts to be eligible for selection for the upcoming series.

The Islanders are set to name the squad after the third ODI against England on July 4. Going by reports, Kusal Perera went to the UK after signing a declaration, but the board may not accept the same next time around.

Turmoil in Sri Lanka cricket

“These players are currently practicing and playing matches and we will consider them for selection for the Indian series. We have still not selected the squad for the series with India, we will do that after Sunday’s third and final ODI against England,” Wickramasinghe was quoted as saying.

Earlier, five players, who refused to sign the contracts were left out of the national squad. These players include Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, and Kasun Rajitha.

As far as second-string teams are concerned, former Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga slammed India for sending one. The 1996 World Cup-winning skipper said that playing against a second-string Indian team is an “insult” for Lankan cricket.

“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,” Ranatunga said.

However, SLC responded to Ranatunga’s words, saying that India have a strong squad at their disposal and they haven’t picked a second-string team for the tour.

“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that despite claims by various parties as reported in the Media, the National White-Ball team of India currently touring Sri Lanka is a strong squad,” SLC said.

“Out of the 20-member India squad, 14 players have represented India across all formats or in some form. (Test, ODI, or T20i), and not a ‘second-string team,’ as claimed.”

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