Asked about off-spinner Suraj Randiv's big no-ball to him when on 99, Virender Sehwag said, “I think it was deliberate.
“They (the Sri Lankans) had done it earlier too when Sachin (Tendulkar) was close to a hundred in Cuttack. He (Randiv) normally does not bowl no-balls. This was one-foot long.”
Then he added, “The other team does not want a batsman to score a hundred. They (the Sri Lankans) tried their best. It does not matter to me, whether I had made 99 or scored a century. There were four byes. Then there was this no-ball.”
Sehwag revealed, “I actually was not aware that the no-ball denied me the century. He (Randiv) should have shown sportsman spirit when a batsman is on 99.”
The dashing opener said the side was more keen on securing the bonus point. “We were thinking about the bonus point. We were discussing it between the overs. I am happy we managed to get it.”
Kumar Sangakkara said, “I will have a word with him (Randiv) later. But I do not think he is that kind of a cricketer. If any of the team-members had coaxed him to do it, then I will take up the matter strongly.”
The Sri Lankan captain said Sri Lanka was not able to build partnerships. “That hurt us. For India, Sehwag batted through the innings. He batted extremely well. That was the difference.”
