Sanga, Mahela exit has left a big void in Sri Lanka
MUMBAI: Problems for Sri Lanka have been on the rise since the retirement of stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Shuffling captains have not helped matters either.
In the last three tournaments, Sri Lanka have seen three different captains. They began with Dinesh Chandimal in February leading a three-match series against India after regular skipper Angelo Mathews was sidelined due to injury. Incidentally, Mathews himself was a standing in for Lasith Malinga who was injured. Later, Malinga returned as captain when they travelled to Bangladesh for the Asia Cup.
Now, just ahead of the World T20, Malinga has stepped down due to injury, and Mathews is captain again. In the two tournaments leading up to the tournament, Sri Lanka fared poorly. They lost against India 2-1. Then in the Asia Cup they lost to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their only win came against UAE.
“I was not ready for the job,” said Mathews in Mumbai on Wednesday. “I was just asked to lead in the World T20 and I could not say no,” he added. “We are still hopeful that Malinga will be fit to play in the first game. He and the selectors have been planning for the World T20 for a while now. However, I will have to make most of the team I have.”
In the last few months Sri Lanka have struggled with injury issues. Following the Asia Cup debacle, a new selection panel with Sangakkara and Aravinda de Silva has been put in place.
The side has also faced multiple allegations off the field. The country’s Sports minister accused the players of partying and infighting following their return from New Zealand. Allegations of doping, illegal action and even corruption has also put some players in the spotlight.