Fear of defeat led to no-ball: Sehwag

Dambulla (PTI) - In an apparent taunt to Sri Lankan players who denied him a century in a controversial tri-series match at Dambulla, Indian opener Virender Sehwag on Wednesday suggested that the fear of defeat might have prompted them to abandon playing the game the right way.

“If we play with energy, poise and unselfishness, we will be playing the game the right way,” tweeted Sehwag, who was denied a century as Sri Lankan off-spinner Suraj Randiv bowled a no-ball at the fag end of the match.

Sri Lankan local media today reported that it was senior batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan who suggested Randiv to bowl the no-ball.

In another tweet, Sehwag indicated that the Sri Lankans might have been “unsettled” with the thought of losing the match which India won easily by six wickets with more than 15 overs left.

“Worry and fear just make you frazzled and unsettled. And the truth is that win or lose, life still goes on. Right effort has to do with unselfishness and working to benefit the team,” he added.

With the scores levelled in Monday’s tri-series match between India and Sri Lanka, off-spinner Suraj Randiv bowled a no ball to deny Virender Sehwag a hundred and the ploy was condemned by everyone as it was not within the spirit of the game. Sehwag was left stranded on 99 though he hit the no-ball for a six.

After the match, Sehwag lashed out at Randiv for deliberately bowling a no-ball to deny him a century.

Randiv later apologised to Sehwag and Sri Lanka Cricket officials did the same to Indian team management which declared the episode a “closed chapter.”

SLC also initiated an inquiry into the incident by team manager Anura Tennekoon who submitted his report on Tuesday night to the Sri Lankan Board.