“Some teams are playing at the same venue”: Did this CSK star just take a look at India in the T20 World Cup?

In what could be a shot at Team India, Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana criticized the 2024 T20 World Cup schedule. The Chennai Super Kings spinner highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka will have to play every game in the Group D at different venues, while indirectly referring to the fact that India have the comfort of playing three of the four group games at the same stadium. The reaction comes after Sri Lanka were decimated by South Africa in their first game of the tournament on June 3.

“I can’t say what [names of the] teams that play in the same location, to see what the conditions are like. They are playing practice games in the same location. No one will achieve this. Our management is trying to arrange today’s flight too because we are joking, we have to arrange everything and [leave]”, he stated.”, said Theekshana.

Rohit Sharma’s men had the luxury of playing their first three Group A games at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, as well as the first practice game against Bangladesh at the same stadium.

“We played practice games in Florida, and our third game was in Florida. There are some things that I think everyone will rethink next year because I know this year nothing will change,” said Theekshana.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for a paltry 77, a target which South Africa achieved in just 16.2 overs.

Captain Wanindu Hasaranga echoed teammate Theekshana’s sentiments.

“All four games in four locations. It’s tough. (Our third game) will be in Florida where we played two games. That’s the only positive we have,” lamented Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka’s heavy defeat will also significantly affect their net run rate. Another defeat could see Sri Lanka fail to reach the Super 8 stage, with Bangladesh and Netherlands waiting to pounce.

Sri Lanka’s next game will be against Bangladesh on June 8 in New York.