• Source:JND
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The former captain of Sri Lanka Arjuna Ranatunga has expressed his disappointment with the current state of cricket, citing a lack of essential skills among modern players and attributed this decline to the influence of franchises, which he believes has had a detrimental impact on the international game.

Ranatunga made a bold statement to drive home his point, claiming that his 1996 Sri Lankan team, which won the World Cup, would easily defeat the current Indian team even on their home turf.

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“When I was captaining in the early 90s, you look at that batting order as a player… Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Amarnath. We couldn’t get them out twice…Azharuddin, Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Dravid follow­ed. What quality players they were. I’ll ask you a question. Don’t get me wrong. Do we have that class in India now? I don’t think so. I’m blunt. I’ll tell you to the face. If I have this Indian side play against my ’96 side, I’ll get them out twice. I’ll beat India in India,” Ranatunga said to the Telegraph.

Arjuna Ranatunga believes that both Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers are struggling to develop players who can play "proper cricket". He lamented that the value of representing one's country is dwindling, and if this trend continues, international cricket may eventually become obsolete, leaving only franchise cricket as the dominant form of the game.

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Ranatunga also emphasized the importance of quality, technique, and intelligence in Test cricket, highlighting the need for players to possess these skills in order to excel in the longest format of the game.

“Are we teaching our you­nger guys proper cricket? Can India produce Gavaskars, Vengsarkars, Amarnaths? Maybe Tendulkars, Dravids? Tell you honestly, I have my doubts now. We Sri Lankans have the same problem. I’m glad the present guys are getting good money. You’re looking at franchise cricket. The players are allowed to play franchise cricket without playing for your country… You will agree with me in another five years. Ultimately, the value of playing for your country will be gone. In another five years, they will play (only) franchise cricket," he added.