India to play additional T20Is in Sri Lanka to suppo

 

India has agreed to play additional Twenty20 International (T20I) matches during their tour of Sri Lanka in August as a gesture of support for relief and recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Shammi Silva said.

Speaking to the media, Silva said the extra T20Is will be played when the Indian national team tours Sri Lanka later this year for their ICC World Test Championship series.

He said the decision reflects India’s solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, which caused extensive damage in several parts of the country.

Silva also revealed that India had earlier agreed to tour Sri Lanka in late December to play two T20 internationals specifically aimed at raising funds for cyclone relief. However, the matches could not be organised due to time constraints and the unavailability of a broadcaster.

“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 said.

The SLC Chairman expressed appreciation for India’s support, noting that the additional matches scheduled for August are expected to generate much-needed revenue and public attention for ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts.