Arjuna Ranatunga captained Sri Lanka to 1996 World Cup win.
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga criticized current cricket players for lacking the necessary abilities and blamed franchises for the international game's decline. Ranatunga expanded on his reasoning, claiming that his 1996 Lankan side would easily overcome the current Indian team in India.
“When I was captaining in the early 90s, you look at that batting order as a player… Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Amarnath. We couldn’t get them out twice…Azharuddin, Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Dravid followed. What quality players they were.
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 said to the Telegraph.
Comparing Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers, Ranatunga stated that the value of playing for one's country was diminishing to the point where its role would cease to exist in the future, with franchise cricket being the only remaining avenue for the game. The former Lankan captain also stated that Test cricket required 'quality, skill, and intellect'.
“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.
Arjuna Ranatunga played for Sri Lanka from 1982-2000. He played 93 Tests and 263 ODIs, scoring 5105 and 7456 runs respectively with a total of 8 centuries to his name. He is the only player to feature in his country’s first-ever Test and 100th Test.