India-Sri Lanka matches have become a bit of an internet joke, with a succession of bilateral matches leading to viewer fatigue. However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Thilanga Sumathipala wants to see even more clashes between the subcontinent neighbours, comparing it to the Ashes series.
In the last nine months, India have toured Sri Lanka and hosted the islanders for two separate full tours. And the two teams are currently participating in the Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series, also involving Bangladesh.
In all, the teams have played six Tests, eight ODIs and six T20s within nine months. Starting in July last year, India blanked Sri Lanka 3-0 in the Test series, 5-0 in ODIs while winning the one-off T20. Then Sri Lanka visited India late last year, losing the three-Test series 0-1, the ODI series 1-2 and T20 rubbers 0-3. And they have played two T20s in the tri-series so far.
SLC chief Sumathipala wants the teams to play each other even more.
“Australia is playing England in the Ashes many times. They play five Tests. So we feel we should play more with India. They are the number one side. Except this tournament, all were bilateral series agreed by the FTP (Future Tours Programme). It sometimes happens that teams play each other frequently while some don’t play for 6-7 years due to FTP pressures,” Sumathipala was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times during the inauguration of Sri Lanka’s new ‘Brain Centre’ for player development.
