A shadow of corruption has once again fallen over the world of cricket. This time, it involves Sachithra Senanayake, a former Sri Lankan spinner and member of the victorious 2014 T20 World Cup team. The Hambantota High Court has found him guilty on serious charges of match-fixing.
Sports News: The world of cricket is once again rocked by serious allegations of match-fixing. This time, the case involves former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake, who has now been officially found guilty of match-fixing. The case relates to the Lanka Premier League 2020, where Senanayake was accused of attempting to induce and entice a fellow player into fixing matches. He was arrested in connection with this case but released on bail in 2023.
What is the full story?
This case stems from the Lanka Premier League 2020, when Senanayake was accused of inciting a fellow player to engage in match-fixing. This caused a significant uproar at the time, leading to his arrest, though he was later released on bail in 2023. Now, after a complete investigation, the court has delivered its verdict, finding Senanayake guilty of fixing.
According to media reports, Senanayake attempted to persuade Tharindu Ratnayake, a player for Colombo Kings, to engage in match-fixing. This has been confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket's Attorney General's Department. Interestingly, this is the first case under Sri Lanka's new anti-corruption law to result in a conviction of a national-level cricketer.
Glimpse into his International Career
Sachithra Senanayake, who played international cricket for Sri Lanka between 2012 and 2016, was once considered a key spinner for the team. He took 53 wickets in 49 One Day Internationals and 25 wickets in 24 T20 Internationals. His bowling was diverse, and he often rescued Sri Lanka from precarious situations.
His cricket career peaked when he won the T20 World Cup trophy with Sri Lanka in 2014. He played a crucial role in that tournament and was an integral part of the team's successful campaign.
IPL Career: Association with Kolkata Knight Riders
In IPL 2013, Senanayake was drafted into the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He took 9 wickets in 8 matches, providing valuable contributions with his disciplined bowling. His average was 23.22, considered good for an overseas spinner in the IPL. However, his IPL career was short-lived, and he soon returned to Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, being a part of a major franchise like KKR was a significant milestone in his career.
