The Indian Cricket Team will play additional T20I matches during their Sri Lanka tour as a token of support for the country’s relief and recovery initiatives in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Shammi Silva confirmed the extra matches will be played when India visit the country later this year to play two Test matches as part of the ongoing World Test Championship.
India To Play Additional T20I Matches To Raise Funds
Silva reiterated that the BCCI had agreed to play two additional T20I matches in December, but time constraints and the unavailability of a broadcaster derailed the plans. As quoted by dailymirror,lk Silva said, “There was willingness from India to come down at the end of December to play two T20Is to raise funds, but there was simply no time to organise it, especially with no broadcaster available.”
Silva further expressed his gratitude towards India for its ongoing support, insisting that the extra T20Is scheduled for August are expected to provide adequate revenue in order to maintain momentum in relief and reconstruction efforts across the cyclone-affected regions.
India earlier faced Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup and went on to lift the title.
India Launched Operation Sagar Bandhu To Extend Support To Cyclone-Affected Sri Lanka
India have already extended their helping hands by providing relief materials and medical supplies as part of Operations Sagar Bandhu. As part of the operation, several Indian Army personnel visited affected areas to provide critical engineering support. The primary focus of the task force was to ensure the repair of vital lines of communication and the construction of damaged roads and bridges.
As per the Indian Army, teams comprised specialised bridging experts, surveyors and watermanship specialists, along with personnel proficient in operating heavy earth-moving equipment, drones and unmanned systems, enabling the delivery of precise and effective engineering support.