Down and Dirty in Dambulla: Randiv banned, Dilshan fined

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Dambulla, Aug. 18: Even as Sri Lanka Cricket slapped a one-match suspension on off-spinner Suraj Randiv for deliberately bowling a no-ball to Virender Sehwag on Monday and fined both Randiv and Tillakaratne Dilshan their match fee for the incident, the matter took a new turn with Kumar Sangakkara saying that Sehwag had played an equal part in fuelling the storm and accused the Indian vice-captain for contradicting his own statements.

Randiv’s action denied Sehwag a well-earned hundred and Dlishan was apparently the insitgator of the idea that led to the bowler overstepping his line.

“I don’t think there is anything special to say to Sehwag. He said one thing at the after match presentation and there was a marked contrast in the press conference with regard to the no-ball. I spoke to Dhoni and Gary Kirsten. Sehwag has also tweeted that there have been other approaches made to him. I think if you all talk of the spirit of the game, it’s the responsibility of all players,” said the Sri Lankan captain.

In a statement, SLC said: “It is of paramount importance to maintain the discipline of the gentlemen’s game, especially with us being winners of the ICC spirit of the game award for two consecutive years.”

Randiv visited Sehwag’s room and apologised but progress has to come from both sides, said Sangakkara. “It’s important for all players to be within the spirit of the game. We can’t expect just one side to keep making the advances and holding out the hand while it has been sensationalised by other players, I think every player has a responsibility to help move on from this incident,” explained Sangakkara.

With enquiries being made and steps being taken right after the game, Sri Lanka Cricket has made an attempt to try and bring the erring players to book. But the preparation ahead of a crucial clash has been hit hard.

“I regret what had happened. We need to take up responsibility as a team and we need to get back to the right mindset ahead of the game. We are professionals whatever happens before or after a game is not of much importance. The focus is to win the next game,” noted Sangakkara. The calm maintained by the left-hander during the stormy media interaction was exemplary.

Sangakkara had addressed the team immediately after the match on Monday. “The board has now taken the matter out of the team, they have instructed the manager to have an inquiry. I have made my views known to the board and the manager who has done everything according to instructions he has received,” he added.

Sri Lanka are winners of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award twice and a reason why the board has not taken the matter lightly.

“This incident was unfortunate but Sri Lanka Cricket cannot take sole ownership for the incidents. All sides have gone through such incidents including India. This unfortunately seems to be newsworthy at the moment. We have taken the responsibility for the actions in the middle.

“SLC is addressing the issue. We have regretted it, whether the no-ball was deliberate is also going to be part of the inquiry. When that comes out, the board will take decision as they see it fit,” said Sangakkara.

On whether the incident would affect India-Sri Lanka cricket relations, the southpaw added: “I don’t think it’s going to affect relationships. The Cuttack incident was brought up. I have seen the replay and that was actually a leg-bye. The umpire signalled a bye and the batsman implied that he might have even hit it. So there are various incidents that happen along the way, our job is to rise above that. ”