India agree to play 2018 Independence cup in Sri Lanka

India have agreed to take part in the Independence Cup in Sri Lanka in 2018, Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala confirmed last Friday (January 20). As part of their 70th Independence day celebrations, Sri Lanka have expressed interest to host the tournament involving India, Pakistan and South Africa.

Speaking to the reporters following a meeting involving the SLC officials, Sumathipala revealed that the final dates would be fixed soon following discussions with the respective boards. “We are very very keen to play our Independence cup in Sri Lanka next year which India has agreed to be part of it,” Sumathipala said. “There is a South Africa-India tour coming up and it might clash with the India-Pakistan tour.

“The Indians are willing to go to South Africa in the period where we are scheduled to tour, so we will discuss with India and South Africa during the next month’s ICC meeting in Dubai regarding our return tour, Independence Cup and then we all (Sri Lanka, India, South Africa and Pakistan) will accommodate each other,” he further added.

Sumathipala confirmed that India agreed to participate following discussions between the Prime Ministers of the respective countries. “India has already given their willingness to play the Independence Cup in 2018 in Sri Lanka after Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe discussed this with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently,” he said.

The SLC president also revealed that in order to celebrate India’s 70th Independence day this year, Sri Lanka might visit the country for a short tour. India are already scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in July-August to play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 International for which the dates haven’t been finalised yet.