{
  "id": 196531,
  "title": "Give them rank turners",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/give-them-rank-turners",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T00:00:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/give-them-rank-turners/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This week, the Indian cricket team arrived in Colombo and began their training at the NCC ground in Sri Lanka. However, the team's arrival has been marred by a series of chaotic incidents. The Indian players were required to present their membership cards to enter the club, and without them, they were denied access and their vehicles were barred from parking. Journalists were also subjected to the same stringent entry rules, being asked to produce a government-issued media accreditation before being granted access to the ground. Fans, on the other hand, were completely barred from attending the training sessions. It's a common mistake for any sport or team to alienate its supporters, as they form the backbone of the game and are the reason players become household names. Even during Sri Lanka's civil war, such exclusionary measures were never imposed on cricket fans. The Indian team's increasing aloofness suggests that they need to rebuild goodwill with the Sri Lankan cricket authorities. Under the leadership of Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid, the team displayed a pragmatic approach. However, with Gautam Gambhir at the helm, the team appears determined to maintain a distance from the fans and the game itself. India's recent success has primarily come from their white-ball cricket, where flat pitches have allowed their powerful batting lineup to excel. Yet, they have struggled on the Test stage, recently succumbing to New Zealand's 3-0 whitewash at home. To test the Indian batsmen's ability to adapt to the turning ball, Sri Lanka Cricket should prepare flat pitches for a warm-up game, providing the Indian team with a false sense of security. Then, in Galle, they should introduce relentless spin bowling to catch the batsmen off guard. This strategy, reminiscent of what Sanath Jayasuriya would have done, has proven effective in the past, as several powerful batting lineups have crumbled under the onslaught of bowlers exploiting home conditions. While such a tactic may not be popular, it has a proven track record of success. If Sri Lanka opts for a gentlemanly approach and prepares flat pitches against India, the outcome is likely to be predictable. However, the trend of kowtowing to India's financial clout needs to change. Bold and innovative strategies, such as those championed by Arjuna Ranatunga, are required to ensure victory on home turf.",
  "summary": "By Rex Clementine The Indian team landed in Colombo this week and held their first training session at the NCC yesterday. Unsurprisingly, there was a fair bit of chaos. The Indian team seems to carry chaos wherever it goes. NCC members were instructed to carry their membership cards to gain entry to the club. Without […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}