Arjuna Ranatunga, the former captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team, has expressed strong criticism towards Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), accusing him of negatively impacting Sri Lankan cricket. This comment comes in the wake of Sri Lanka's disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“Because of the connection between SLC officials and Jay Shah they (the BCCI) are under the impression that they can trample and control SLC,” Ranatunga was quoted by Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror.
“Jay Shah is running Sri Lanka Cricket. SLC is being ruined because of pressure from Jay Shah. One man in India is ruining Sri Lankan cricket.
“He is only powerful because of his father, who is India’s home Minister," he added.
Sri Lanka's cricket scene has been tumultuous recently, both in terms of on-field performance and administrative upheavals. The team's poor showing in the World Cup, where they finished ninth in the points table, resulted in them failing to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This outcome has further fueled debates and discontent within Sri Lankan cricket circles.
Adding to the challenges, Roshan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka's sports minister, dismissed the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board and appointed an interim committee led by Arjuna Ranatunga. However, this decision was short-lived as the Sri Lankan courts reinstated the original board by issuing a 14-day stay order on the gazette that had dissolved the board.
In a further development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended the Sri Lankan cricket board due to significant government interference in its operations. This suspension was effective immediately, further complicating the situation for Sri Lankan cricket, which was already facing criticism for its performance and governance.
These events have led to a period of uncertainty and turmoil in Sri Lankan cricket, with various stakeholders, including former players like Ranatunga, voicing their concerns over the direction and management of the sport in the country.
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