arjuna-ranatunga-mocks-team-india

One of the most successful captains in Sri Lankan Cricket history Arjuna Ranatunga has made a bold statement claiming that his 1996 World Cup-winning team could have defeated the current Indian National Cricket Team in just three days in a Test match.

This statement came after the Indian team back to back test cricket defeats against both Australian Cricket Team (3-1) and New Zealand Cricket Team (3-0) 

 "I’ll ask you a question. Don’t get me wrong. Do we have that class in India now? I don’t think so. I’m blunt. I’ll tell you to the face. If I have this Indian side play against my ’96 side, I’ll get them out twice. I’ll beat India in India. With bowlers like (Chaminda) Vaas and Murali (Muttiah Muralidaran), that team of mine would have beaten India in India in three days,” Ranatunga told the Telegraph.

He also raised concerns about the state of cricket in both India and Sri Lanka questioning if young players today have the same class as legends like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, or Dravid.

“Are we teaching our you­nger guys proper cricket? Can India produce Gavaskars, Vengsarkars, Amarnaths? Maybe Tendulkars, Dravids? Tell you honestly, I have my doubts now. We Sri Lankans have the same problem. I’m glad the present guys are getting good money. You’re looking at franchise cricket.

The players are allowed to play franchise cricket without playing for your country… You will agree with me in another five years. Ultimately, the value of playing for your country will be gone. In another five years, they will play (only) franchise cricket,” he concluded.