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Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kumar Sangakkara on Monday said that keeping the Sri Lankan players out of the Chennai matches in IPL 6 is not going to "curtail" the spirit of the game.
"Politics in this case has affected/restricted our presence, our belief to play in every part of India. But I don't think, sports and spirit of cricket is ever going to be curtailed by such prejudice," he said. The Sri Lankan great was reacting to a query if politics has affected the participation of Sri Lankan players in Chennai.
"The build-up has been different and difficult for Sri Lankan players. But at the end of the day they are here to play IPL. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has made it clear that no Sri Lankan players will be (playing) in Chennai," Sangakkara said.
He pointed out that "India is much more than Chennai and Tamil Nadu and I think the rest of India has been very welcoming of us". "We are here to play cricket representing Sri Lanka and also on behalf of our franchisee."
Reacting to another query, over former captain Arjuna Ranatunga's comment asking the Sri Lankan players to opt out of the tournament over the matter, Sangakkara said, "It's been a divisive issue back home as well. But this is not a nation vs nation issue.
"It's only a state... and I don't think it is the entire state (Tamil Nadu). So, we got to put it in right perspective." He further said, "Foreign policies are not going to be dictated by that and had it been a nation vs nation issue then Sri Lankan players would not have been here." (Source: PTI)
Comments - 12
Comments - Politics won't curtail spirit of game: Sanga
Thanveer Ashraf Monday, 01 April 2013 02:39 PM
Finally some sense.. Kumar Sangakkara well said.
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sandy Monday, 01 April 2013 12:00 AM
hehe.... Tell the truth.... Its all because money.... just because getting a big bag of money, you all are going... we are not blaming you... But at least dont try to fool people.... via DM Android App
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mohamed hussain Monday, 01 April 2013 12:00 AM
Well said. Congrtulations for leading The Sunrise. Proud to be a Sri Lankan. via DM Android App
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god Tuesday, 02 April 2013 12:00 AM
kuma ur perfect in making decisions y not captain mum lanka
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Chatura Udawatte Tuesday, 02 April 2013 08:03 AM
The spirit of Cricket was curtailed when the met the president and pressured the then Cricket Board President (Arjuna) to change the England tour so they could play IPL. When they play IPL they are not representing Sri Lanka, only their own interest. Nation Vs Nation statement is being used as an excuse to justify what is being done. It’s all about making as much money as possible while the popularity is there. Chatura
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MODA SINHALAYA Tuesday, 02 April 2013 08:03 AM
What sense, in other words politics or no politics even if SL players are treated as second class thuttu dekey ones with much lessor pay packets, the greed of the super multi millionaire cricketers will not forgo their lust for money at any cost ! They dont care even if sri lanka has been disgraced by TN banning them & indian govt not having any backbone to stop it
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MODA SINHALAYA Tuesday, 02 April 2013 08:05 AM
Why dont you carry their bags might get a tip or two ?
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Mahinda Tuesday, 02 April 2013 08:11 AM
money supersedes everything, rest is is rhetoric! Re-framing doesn't fool !
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Podi Koluwa Tuesday, 02 April 2013 08:16 AM
India is much more than Chennai or Dollars are much more than the country.?
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chux Tuesday, 02 April 2013 09:43 AM
what you preach pls practice .......
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Dilshan Tuesday, 02 April 2013 11:36 AM
this is the nature of this guy, shameless. we saw this when he switched from hutch to airtel..
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weere Wednesday, 03 April 2013 05:21 AM
money won't curtail the spirit of the game.
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