India’s SL Tour On

--> -->

Sreelata YellamrazuJan 14 2009

Speculation has it that N. Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary, had more on his agenda than just finalizing the India’s tour to Sri Lanka in the midst of the latter’s tour to Pakistan.

n srini shukla AvACW 17022

India has confirmed that the cricket team will play five one day internationals and one Twenty20 match on a tour that will be slotted in in between Sri Lanka’s tour to Pakistan. That would mean the period between January 28th and February 14th, indicating that the Indian cricketers enjoying an unusual break with the tour to Pakistan cancelled will now have their holidays cut short.

But it was not just finalizing the itinerary that was on the agenda. With the booting out of Arjuna Ranatunga from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, India took this as an opportunity to once again bridge the strained cricketing ties between the two countries.

That it has worked has been made evident from the statements made to the press that suggested that Sri Lanka would once again pledge their support to the IPL and send forth players, who were earlier constrained by Ranatunga’s determination to make them keep their word to do national duty in England.

To absolve itself of any hand in the termination of Ranatunga, N. Srinivasan categorically stated, “

In another move to improve relations, the SLC has stated that it stands by the stand taken by the BCCI regarding players affiliated to the ‘rebel’ league, the ICL. This comes significantly on the heels of the previous regime’s move when five ICL players were inducted in a domestic tournament in direct defiance of the BCCI’s pressure on board not to retain the services of cricketers who had chosen to go the route of the unrecognized league.

Lots of bridge building taking place, but not with Pakistan at the moment, not from India anyway.

How Big is This Storm? Read and catch up!

BCCI Refuses to Acknowledge Tour with Sri Lanka

India Promise Full Strength for NZ as Srikkanth Lays Down No.1 Goals

SL Obliging India with Tour, allege Pakistan

Fraternal Relations Taking Their Toll

Inzy Against Cutting Ties Borne out of Cricket

Pakistani Patriotism-- Boycott ICL and IPL

Pakistan Players Furious Over India’s Decision

India Will Not Tour Pakistan

Indo Pak Dreams – Only Dreams?

Twenty20’s New Mantra: Dumping Pak Players?