Published: Aug 09, 2017, 10:25 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 09, 2017, 10:28 AM (IST)
Sri Lankan legend Aravinda de Silva is a no non-sense man and the sport has seen that since his playing days. He has continued this approach in his off-field demeanor as well. With news of the ICC World Cup 2011 Final between India and Sri Lanka claimed to be fixed, Aravinda has asked anyone making such allegations to come out with apt proof. India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the final at Wankhede Stadium to lift their second WC title. It was only last month that his 1996 WC winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga said that the India-Sri Lanka Final was fixed.
Speaking to mid-day, Aravinda said, “You can’t stop people talking when they have a grudge against certain people. One can say many things against them. But at the end of the day you need to come out and prove what you are saying. It’s fair that they should have all the proof needed.” Talking about the Kumar Sangakkar-led side’s loss to India in final he explained, “Obviously, it hurts. I think players make mistakes on the field and every time they do, they are likely to be accused of various things.” Aravinda was twice chosen as Sri Lanka’s chief selector, and was instrumental in re-structuring Sri Lanka’s coaching programmes with emphasis on home-grown talent. He represented Sri Lanka from 1984 to 2003, playing 93 Tests and 308 ODIs. He is one of the rare cricketer to have scored total First-Class career runs round figures. De Silva scored exactly 15,000 runs in First-Class cricket at 48.38.
