I feel Rahul Dravid and Shikhar Dhawan will not bother about Arjun Ranatunga's statements: Reetinder Singh Sodhi

Former Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga clearly is not happy with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sending a B team to Sri Lanka for the teams’ limited-overs tour which is set to begin on July 13. Never too shy to express what is in his mind, Ranatunga this time said it’s an ‘insult’ to our team that the BCCI has sent a B team on a tour.

Naturally, his comments have not gone too well with fans and experts, and jumping into the bandwagon is former India cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi. The right-hand batter said the 20-member squad led by Shikhar Dhawan and coached by Rahul Dravid won’t be too worried about the comments made by the former Sri Lankan skipper.

While speaking to India News, the 40-year-old said, Ranatunga may soon have to regret what he said and eat his words when India ends by winning the series. “I feel Rahul Dravid and Shikhar Dhawan will not bother about this statement. They will just concentrate on their cricket and beat Sri Lanka hands down. After that when the statement is run, it will be very interesting. Arjuna Ranatunga will have to eat his own words.”

The BCCI was left with no choice, as their first-choice of players are away on a Test tour to England. With clashing of schedules, the Board instead sent a B team to the Island nation with young as well as experienced players in the squad.

One should never take their opponents lightly: Reetinder Singh Sodhi

Australia head coach Justin Langer admitted that never underestimate the Indians after the team went to create history by beating Australia 2-1 in the series which was held Down Under in 2020-21. During that series too, India had missed many of their first-choice players. Sodhi too sounded on similar lines and told, not to take your opponents lightly.

“It is said you should never take your opposition lightly. The sort of statements that have been made, there is no need for that, they do not make sense. What we have done in Australia when our main players were injured, these boys were the top performers there,” said former all-rounder Sodhi.

The former all-rounder concluded by saying that there are only six uncapped players in the squad and the rest of the 14 players have played for India. “Only six guys can make their debut. All the remaining players have worn the Indian jersey and some of them have played in all three formats. I think this is testimony to the fact how good this team is.”