World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka sack entire cricket board days after humiliating loss to India
Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, sacked the national cricket board in light of the team’s underwhelming World Cup performance, particularly their recent loss to India.
In a statement on Friday, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe strongly criticized Sri Lanka Cricket, accusing it of being disloyal and tainted by corruption. He called for the immediate resignation of board members. Following this, the secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mohan de Silva, who held the second-highest position in the organization, resigned on Saturday amid fan protests outside the board’s headquarters.
Arjuna Ranatunga, who led the Sri Lankan cricket team to their only World Cup title in 1996, was appointed as the interim chairman of the board, as stated by Ranasinghe. The newly formed seven-member committee also comprises a retired supreme court judge and a former board president.
Sri Lanka currently occupies the seventh position in the table, having garnered four points from seven matches. Their record comprises two victories and five defeats. For Sri Lanka to secure a spot in the coveted fourth position, not only do they have to win their remaining two matches, but they also require favorable outcomes from other games. However, achieving this scenario appears highly improbable at this juncture.
RECORD LOSS vs INDIA
Following a solid performance in the first innings, where India posted a total of 357 for 8, the team came out with strong bowling firepower at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, ultimately dismissing Sri Lanka for a mere 55 runs.
In the initial innings, India’s scoreboard showcased an impressive show of batting skills. Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer all played crucial roles in amassing the total. Gill contributed 92 runs off 92 deliveries, embellished with 11 boundaries and two sixes. Kohli notched up 88 runs from 94 balls, featuring 11 boundaries, while Iyer’s explosive innings saw him accumulate 82 runs from just 56 balls, inclusive of three boundaries and six maximums.
In the second innings, Mohammed Shami shone with his exceptional bowling performance, securing his third five-wicket haul in the ODI World Cups. The Sri Lankan team struggled during their pursuit of India’s challenging target of 358 runs. Mohammed Siraj also played a significant role, claiming three wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja each contributed with one wicket. This collective effort from the Indian bowlers resulted in Sri Lanka being bowled out for a mere 55 runs in only 19.4 overs.