“It is most unfortunate the sports and politics are getting mixed and Sri Lankan players won’t be allowed to tour Chennai as a result. While I say it is disappointing and frustrating I also know that it is a very sensitive issue politically and there are compulsions we players aren’t always aware of. For us we have always enjoyed playing in Chennai and hope that we can go back sooner rather than later,” Muralitharan was quoted as saying by Times of India.
The world’s greatest off-spinner suggests that more than an outrage, the people of Sri Lanka are hurt and disappointed with the decision.
“I wouldn’t call it a sense of outrage. Rather it’s sense of hurt and disappointment. People are very sad, and also somewhat surprised by the turn of events. For us in Sri Lanka, India is a much loved country to visit and we have a lot of friends here. To be told that we are not welcome in a certain Indian city is not a good feeling. I hope this situation changes in the not-too distant future.”
Speaking about the impact of Sri Lankan players not participating in the IPL, Muralitharan said, “Some of the matches will be seriously impacted as a result. Mumbai without [Lasith] Malinga, for example, isn’t going to be the same team. The same applies for the Daredevils without Mahela [Jayawardene] in their ranks. For me Chennai is second home. I love the city and love playing at the Chepauk. It is extremely disheartening to know I can’t play there. It is a track that offers real help to us spinners and that means some teams will seriously lose out as a result of this decision. From a pure cricketing standpoint the decision has robbed the IPL of some of its sheen.”
The 40-year-old feels time can only say whether this will have any impact on India-Sri Lanka cricketing ties.
He says, “Look time is the best healer. I don’t think this is a permanent thing. Yes, it is a very serious issue and all of us should respect the political sensitivities in both India and Sri Lanka. Having said that I have no doubt that the cricket boards of India and Sri Lanka will continue to be close and we will soon have a resolution to this issue. I don’t think this issue will create a fissure between the cricket boards of the two countries.”
The Royal Challengers Bangalore player added, “I have said to you at the very start that as a cricketer it is extremely sad and frustrating to be suddenly told that you can’t play in a particular city. We are sportspeople and sports we have always been told is above everything. We are performers who entertain people and to be robbed of this opportunity is acutely frustrating.”
“In this case sport has lost out to political expediency and we have no option but to accept the situation at hand. However, I continue to believe that we will soon have a resolution to this problem,” he concluded.
Source: http://www.cricketcountry.com
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