Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has reacted to the latest COVID-19 outbreak inside the Sri Lankan camp ahead of the limited-overs series against India with regards to the ongoing debate over the “so-called second-string Indian team.”
Sri Lanka's batting coach Grant Flower and Data analyst G T Niroshan tested positive for COVID-19 upon their return from their tour to England, forcing the hosts to postpone the upcoming white-ball series comprising three ODIs and as many as T20Is against India.
Originally, the series was to start on July 13 with the first ODI but now it will start on July 18.
Well, there are many talks surrounding a “second-string” Indian cricket team with many hailing India’s cricketing system for being able to send a specialist limited-overs squad to Sri Lanka, while Arjuna Ranatunga called it an insult and now Chopra said it will not be a contest if the hosts field their second-string side.
Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “Sri Lanka also had two teams ready. One is in isolation, which has come back from England and the other one was practicing in Dambulla. But just think about it, Sri Lanka's first side is already fairly weak.”
The commentator has further pointed out that some of the former Sri Lankan players feel the hosts will not be able to compete with the “so-called second-string Indian team” and even if they manage to win a single game from the 6 games, it will only be a miracle.
Chopra further noted, “Former Sri Lankan players believe that if the Sri Lankan main team wins even one match against the so-called second-string Indian team, it will be like a miracle because India's second-string Indian team is better than their first team.”
He signed off by saying, “In such a scenario, if their second-string side was made to play, it would not have been a contest. A bilateral series anyway does not have context and if you remove contest as well, what will be the fun.”
