In an explosive revelation, Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has once again said that 2011 World Cup Final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed.
The Former Minister, in an interview with Sri Lanka news channel News 1st, said he makes the claim with absolute responsibility and does not wish to expose further details for the sake of the country.
“Today, I am saying with responsibility that Sri Lanka sold the 2011 final to India. I said this during my days as Sports Minister as well. There are evidence also to prove this, but for the sake of the country, I will not expose those evidence” Aluthgamage said.
Sri Lanka, batting first, scored 274-6 off 50 overs and appeared in a commanding position when Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar was caught for 18. India turned the game dramatically thanks partly to poor fielding and bowling by Sri Lanka. Then Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara resigned soon after the match.
Local media have raised suspicions of Sri Lankans throwing the match, but there was no formal call for an investigation till date.
“I can debate about it that it was sold for money. I can tell more about it, because many people want to know the truth. i am not pointing fingers at certain players, but many parties were behind this fixing” he added.
In the final, Four last-minute changes were made to the Sri Lankan side without prior approval being sought from the sports minister, breaching convention.
“Then there are also questions about the behaviour of a very senior player. During the match, instructions sent to the field were ignored,” Aluthgamage had said in 2017, without naming the player in question.
Same year, Former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga had also demanded an investigation into the country’s defeat by India amid allegations of match fixing. While reacting to Sangakkara`s comments on whose behest the 2009 tour of Pakistan was arranged, Ranatunga had said:
“Sangakkara wants an inquiry into the tour of Pakistan then they should have one. But I think we should also inquire into what happened to the Sri Lanka team during the 2011 World Cup final. I think this is something that the Sports Minister should look into rather than concentrating on fitness issues.”
Ranatunga, in a video, had posted saying that he was shocked by Sri Lanka’s six-wicket defeat in the final at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
“I was also in India giving commentaries at the time. When we lost, I was distressed and I had a doubt,” Ranatunga said. “We must investigate what happened to Sri Lanka at the final. I cannot reveal everything now, but one day I will. There must be an inquiry” the Iconic captain had said.
Cricket fans have also raised their opinion on Sri Lanka’s dramatic defeat, saying that the following year some players secured lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) deals.
