Sri Lanka vs India: Here's why biscuits are banned from Lankan dressing room

Dambulla: Sweets have made an exit from the Sri Lanka cricket team’s dressing room and have been swapped for protein-rich foods to keep fitness in check for players. Curbing sugar-based foods has been a regular norm for sports teams globally, with the ever growing demands of fitness in the game. 

The dietary change has been implemented keeping in mind a physique makeover for the future. Head coach of the Sri Lankan team, Asanka Gurusinha revealed the decision was enforced by team physio Nirmala and physical trainer Nick Lee. 

“No idea about the biscuits ban. Just like other teams, our physio and trainer are managing the dietary requirements of the team. One of the things, they don’t want are sweets in the dressing room. 

At the game, they have high-protein foods. That’s the change that has been brought about. But it was done before the Champions Trophy. Whatever the food that is coming into the dressing room, is handled by the physio and the trainer. Myself or Sri Lanka Cricket never gets involved in that. Even the head coach doesn’t get involved in that,” Gurusinha was quoted saying by the Sunday Express after the team’s training session at Dambulla International Stadium on Saturday.

After it was allegedly reported that Gurusinha and the players got into a brawl for banning sweets, the Sri Lankan coach rubbished the rumours. 

“There was absolutely no argument with any players or support staff on this issue. In fact, the players were even not aware that biscuits were kept in the changing room. When the players heard this rumour, they even called me and told me not to worry. They all know that the news was not true and that they are all behind me,” Gurusinha added.

Gurushinha also spoke about how his boys were improving their fitness despite the ongoing criticism. 

“I feel we have over-talked it, the fitness side. These guys are pretty fit. When you lose games, they talk about a lot about fitness and everything. I think if you test our guys, our fitness standards, we would be pretty close to the Indian team fitness standards. Some may be much better.”

However, the issue concerning paunches has been a critical topic in Sri Lankan cricket after the sports minister ridiculed the team for sporting big bellies following their ICC Champions Trophy exit. 

“Sri Lanka is the only cricket team to have players with big bellies and it’s not surprising there are so many drops. Leave alone the catches, how many runs have leaked in the field,” the sports minister was quoted as saying by the local newspapers.

Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga slammed the sports minister for his comment and respond boldly by saying “What does a monkey know about a parrot’s nesting hollow?”

The sports minister later sent a directive to exclude any cricketer with more than 16 percent body fat from the national team.