Dambulla, Aug 17 (IANS) Indian opener Virender Sehwag Tuesday tweeted that Sri Lankan off-spinner Suraj Randiv had apologised to him for denying him a hundred in Monday night’s ODI by deliberately bowling a no ball.
‘Randiv came to my room and apologised,’ Sehwag wrote on his Twitter page.
Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) has also apologised for the incident.
SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said: ‘We have initiated an inquiry into the incident and called for a report from team manager Anura Tennekoon before taking further action.’
The incident took place in the 35th over when Sehwag, batting on 99 and India needing just one run for victory, struck Randiv for a huge six over long-off and raised his bat in celebration, only to realise a moment later that it was a big no-ball from the off-spinner and his runs would not be counted.
Sehwag remained on 99 and missed his 13th ODI hundred when Randiv, who had not bowled a no ball in the Test or ODI series this season, bowled one which was hit by the opener for a six.
The six was not counted because the no ball gave India the winning run.
India won the match by six wickets — and Randiv’s action came under heavy criticism from Sehwag.
‘Yes, it was done deliberately. It was not a small no-ball, not a small margin, from one foot ahead,’ he said.