Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, at a live TV cricket talk show aired on Monday (April 18), expressed his dissatisfaction over Muttiah Muralitharan’s recent remarks against Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision to call back the national players who are featuring in the ongoing IPL.The world renowned bowler Muralitharan had slammed SLC for recalling Sri Lanka players from the IPL, before May 5, as a No Objection Certificate (NOC), signed between the SLC and Sri Lanka’s IPL players, had allowed them to continue till May 20. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had also written to SLC asking it to reconsider its decision.
Muralitharan was quoted saying to the Press Trust of India this week the following: "I think the Board (SLC) has given them (the players) permission till May 20. I don’t know what happened suddenly. The players were told to come on May 5. It is the fault of SLC because they signed the NOC till May 20 so if they change it to May 5 it is something wrong."
Muralitharan has categorically said that players could make money and survive if only Sri Lanka kept a good rapport with India. Sri Lanka should not antagonise India as SLC is in debt of about USD 25 million, Murali had also added.
MoreRanatunga, who steered his country against all odds in 1996 to win the cricket World Cup, expressed his displeasure over change of heart of the legendary bowler, which, according to Ranatunga, is due to involvement of money in cricket.
When he played for Sri Lanka, Arjuna denied appearing in any commercial endorsement and by doing so set a rare example to the young players on how one should serve the country in spite one’s burning desire for money.
On Monday, Arjuna, a present MP, added further that the late Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, former SLC Presidents, himself and the whole Sri Lanka as a nation stood behind Murali at times of great difficulty during his career and took all necessary measures spending lots of money to protect the bowler.
Ranatunga further emphasised that such collective effort helped clear all allegations against Murali when he was labelled a ‘chucker’ after Australian umpire Darrel Harper called him for ‘throwing’.
Arjuna also said Murali had no moral right to speak against SLC as he had been a product of the same body. Murali is talking in favour of a carnival type tournament –-the IPL— which is run by India, basically for India’s benefit, Arjuna pointed out. He also said it was imperative that all players abide by the SLC decisions, which he says a moral obligation of every single player.
The Duleep Mendis - led new national selection committee demanded Sri Lanka players in the IPL to return home on May 5 so as to get ready for the forthcoming England tour, which will be held from May 14 to July 13. The tour includes three Tests, five ODIs and a T20 match. The Sri Lanka contingent is expected to leave for England on May 10. The fourth leg of the IPL, which is now on, is scheduled to go on till May 28.
The Island by Madura Nandana
