SLC hails Rahul Dravid for ensuring the completion of India-Sri Lanka series despite coronavirus outbreak

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has come forward and leapt praises for the efforts of Rahul Dravid for continuing the recently-concluded limited-overs series between India and SL despite COVID-19 cases hitting the visitors’ contingent. 

Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya had tested positive for the novel coronavirus after the first Twenty20 International (T20I) match in Colombo. Moreover, eight other players had come in close contact with Pandya and hence, they’re ruled out of the remaining two matches. As a result, Shikhar Dhawan’s men were left with only 11 players to proceed with the tour. 

The SLC secretary Mohan de Silva stated that Dravid and the team could have easily gone back but they decided to go on with the series. He further pointed out that the India coach understood the situation and considered the efforts of the hosts.

“The most encouraging aspect of the whole Pandya episode was the role of the support staff of the Indian team, led by Rahul. If he wanted, he could have easily taken the team back to India. He was very accommodating and understood the situation. He appreciated the efforts we were talking about and realized that we were doing our best to protect the boys from virus dangers with all bio-secure guidelines,” Mohan de Silva said as reported by Cricbuzz.

De Silva comments on monetary benefits of the IND-SL series

The SLC secretary further said that India’s tour of Sri Lanka turned out to be very, very valuable for them as they reaped dividends of over 280 crore Sri Lankan rupees. He went on to thank the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah for their support.

“It was a very, very valuable tour for us. We were looking forward to it for a long time. We were very grateful to BCCI top brass – Jay Shah and Sourav Ganguly – for acceding to our request to play three additional T20Is. Originally the tour was for only three ODIs. It enhanced the commercial value of the whole tour. We ended up earning almost $ 14.5 million. It is a huge boost to our finances,” the SLC secretary added.

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