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The T20 World Cup 2024 is underway in the USA and Caribbean from June 1. The former T20 World Cup champions, Sri Lanka, kickstarted their campaign with a disappointing defeat against South Africa. The Wanindu Hasaranga-led side were bundled out for their lowest total and this defeat did not rest well with them.
Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana took an indirect dig at Team India while he hit out at the guelling T20 World Cup 2024 scheduling. Speaking after their six-wicket defeat, the premium spinner said, “So unfair for us, we have to leave everyday (after the match) because we are playing at four different venues.”
“It’s unfair. The flight we took from Florida, from Miami, we had to wait like eight hours in the airport to get the flight. We were supposed to leave at 8pm but we got the flight at 5am. It’s really unfair for us, but it doesn’t matter when you play,” he further added. However, Theekshana refrained from naming the teams but continued, “I can’t say the names of the teams that have got the opportunity to stay in the same place but their hotel is only 14 minutes to the ground. Ours was like one hour and 40 minutes. Even today (for the match against South Africa), we had to wake up around 5am to come here,” he added.
When asked if this was the reason behind the Lankans cancelling their training session earlier ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 opener against South Africa, Theekshana replied, “Yeah, that’s why.”
Tough time the last few days: Wanindu Hasaranga after defeat vs SA
Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga also opened up about the team experiences after their defeat in their T20 World Cup 2024 opener. Speaking at the post-match presser, Hasaranga also clarified that we cannot say whether the logistical difficulties have affected the team’s performance.
“(On logistical difficulties) We can’t say that. We had a tough time the last few days. All four games in four venues. It’s hard. We didn’t know [anything about the conditions here]. This is our first game in New York. Next game in Dallas, we don’t know [anything about the conditions there]. The next game is in Florida where we played two games, that’s the only plus point we have,” he added.
Sri Lanka are placed in Group D, alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal. Moreover, they are only one of the two teams (other is Netherlands) who will be playing their four-group stage matches at four different venues. The Wanindu Hasaranga-led side will next take on Bangladesh at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on June 8 (IST) at 6:00 am.
