A Mysterious Phone Call paved the way for Santush Gunathilika into SL U19 World Cup Squad?

A Mysterious Phone Call paved the way for Santush Gunathilika into SL U19 World Cup Squad?

Even though The U19 world cup in New Zealand has been done and dusted, the controversy surrounding the surprise inclusion of Santush Gunathilika into the Sri Lanka world cup squad is far from over.

Ayana Siriwardena was the captain of the Sri Lanka president XI team, that played challenger trophy in India in December 2017. He was a standout performer with both bat and ball, and was almost certain for the mega event.

There was a player named Santush Gunathilika. Those, who have been given the responsibility to take Sri Lanka Cricket forward, presented a notorious case of favoritism by selecting non-deserving players into the squad.

However, The so called Messiah of Sri Lanka Cricket dumped him for the Santush Gunathilika.

There were protests against the injustice, mainly from Ayana school Isipathana College. They submitted a formal complaint at well, to country’s Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. However, it seems he was too busy, to take notice of this small issue!

There are lot of speculation over Santush Baised inclusion. Some says he came into the side because his father Sirosha Gunathilika is the powerful secretary of MCA. Other says his father is a good friend of one of the selector Gamini Wickramsinghe. Many other says because Sirosha Gunathilika is the former president of Association of Cricket Umpires (ACU).

Now, in a latest revelation, it has learnt that a top politician was also backing Santush Gunathilika. That was the main reason why protest against his inclusion fell into deaf ears.

According to reliable sources, that politician spoke to the chairman of selectors Graeme Labrooy in favor of Santush Gunathilika. Reportedly, Santush father also met several times to that politician before the announcement of the squad.

Also, it has learnt that Sirosha Gunathilika, the father of Santush, was in New Zealand for the most of the time, and even reportedly did visa process before the team’s announcement.

Not only this, it has also learnt that Hasitha Boyagoda was dropped in the key matches to give Santush a chance to justify his inclusion by coach Roy Dias, Manager Mahinda Halangoda and Chief selector Graeme Labrooy.

This all shows what one player needs to be in Sri Lanka Team : A phone call from a powerful person within the system!