IN HOT WATER

SLC to probe Kapugedera's decision to bat first

by Rex Clementine • Last updated on

Kapugedera was standing in as captain for the suspended Upul Tharanga for the third one-dayer that Sri Lanka needed to win to keep the series alive. © AFP

Sri Lanka Cricket will call up Chamara Kapugedera for an inquiry after it was revealed that he had gone against the team's decision to field first in the third One-Day International against India at Pallekele in Kandy on Sunday.

Kapugedera was standing in as captain for the suspended Upul Tharanga for the third one-dayer that Sri Lanka needed to win to keep the series alive. India had won five tosses in a row on the tour and had completely dominated the hosts in every aspect. Sri Lanka had been asked to bat first in the first two ODIs and suffered heavy defeats.

The day prior to the game, at a team meeting, it had been decided to stick to Sri Lanka's strength: chasing. A member of the Sri Lankan support staff told Cricbuzz that the moment Kapugedera won the toss, the bowlers had started dressing up, but they were in for a shock when they realized that Kapugedera had elected to bat first.

The conditions in the third ODI helped the seam bowlers and Sri Lanka's batsmen struggled and eventually managed to score just 217 runs in their 50 overs. India cruised to victory with six wickets to spare and angry fans started hurling objects to the ground with India closing in on victory.

A member of the support staff ruled out any foul play but said, "he had a brain fade". A prominent SLC official told Cricbuzz on Tuesday (August 29) that the board will probe the incident.

Kapugedera, however, has been ruled out of the remaining two games with a back injury.

© Cricbuzz

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