TheSportsCampus

India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets yesterday in the third ODI of the ongoing tri-nation series in the island nation. Indian vice-captain Virender Sehwag had led the Indian run chase with a typically swashbuckling innings of 99. With India requiring one run to win and with Sehwag on strike just one shy of his century, Sri Lankan off-spinner Suraj Randiv bowled a massive no-ball, overstepping the popping crease by a few feet.

Sehwag, who hit that ball for 6, was denied a century because the no-ball offence was committed first, and it raised wide spread speculation that it was a deliberate ploy to deny the charismatic batsman his hundred. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has responded to the issue with the following press release:

"We are perturbed and disconcerted by the news reports which indicate that Virender Sehwag had been deliberately deprived of a reaching a century by Suraj Randiv bowling a no ball in the last over.

"Sri Lanka Cricket being winners of the ‘ICC Spirit of the game' award for two consecutive years is extremely proud of its Team and their achievements and conduct both on and off the field, as such it is necessary to clear the good name of Sri Lanka Cricket and Sri Lanka as a sporting nation, on a priority basis.

"In this endeavor, Sri Lanka Cricket officials have requested the Sri Lanka National Team Manager, Mr. Anura Tennekoon, to conduct an immediate internal inquiry and forward a comprehensive report in this regard, where action will be taken accordingly."