WC 2011 match-fixing investigation: Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara grilled for 8 hours; Mahela Jayawardene next in line

Former Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara was interrogated for about eight hours on Thursday by the detectives in a probe investigating claims that the final of 2011 World Cup was fixed. 

Also read: Aravinda de Silva questioned for 6 hours over 2011 WC final match-fixing allegations; Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga summoned

Sangakkara, who was quizzed by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), led the Sri Lankan side in the 2011 World Cup campaign. 

After the gruesome interrogation, Sangakkara told the reporters that he had come here to give a statement because of his "responsibility" to the game and "respect for cricket". 

Sangakkara went on to say: "I hope at the end of this investigation, the truth about the allegations made by (former sports minister) Mahindananda Aluthgamage will come out."

Protests were staged by the members of the Samagi Tharuna Balawegay while the interrogation was on. Demonstrations were held against the harassment Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara and 2011 cricket team.

Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga was the first player to be questioned by the authorities. 

Then-sports minister of Sri Lanka Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed that Sri Lanka “sold” the 2011 World Cup final.

"I feel I can talk about it now," Mahindananda Aluthgamage told a local TV network last month. "I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved."

Sri Lanka posted 274/6 off 50 overs before India chased down the target courtesy Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91. Sri Lanka was criticized for their poor bowling and fielding as India won the match by six wickets.

The toss in the summit class was also controversial as it took place twice after match referee Jeff Crowe apparently didn’t hear the call by Sangakkara and asked Dhoni to flip the coin again. Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first was also slammed by many. 

Next in line is Mahela Jayawardene, he will be interrogated on Friday. Jayawardene was the vice-captain of the Sri Lankan team during the 2011 WC campaign and also scored a century in the much-talked finals.