Horrendous showing in Pakistan could turn into a blessing In disguise for Sri Lanka in their preparation for the T20 World cup early next year, only if they are willing for the Introspection and fine tune the shortcomings.
Ever since the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka’s last generation of legendary batsmen, the Island’s new set of players couldn’t achieve the same stature in world cricket! Irrespective of who was captain, coach or chief selector, the common sentiment (or simply a lame excuse) was always ready to be spoken – the team is going through the transition phase!
Mahela and Sangakkara retired around 2015 and Dilshan in 2016. Nine years since then have already passed, but not a single next generation Sri Lanka player could achieve greatness!
During this period, Ironically, Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya, among Sri Lanka’s all time great players, also associated Sri Lanka team, due to the efforts of cricket board! While Mahela was at consultant coach capacity for a considerable time, Jayasuriya’s is presently serving as head coach of the national side. The Sri Lanka Cricket and these two legendary Icon did everything they could do. But Sri Lanka remained underperformed, because the boards and coaches are as good as their team! Jayasuryia, who revolutionized ODI cricket and Jayawardene, who has won three IPL trophies as Mumbai Indians coach,couldn’t uplift the Sri Lanka team.
The simplest reason for their failure is – Sri Lanka players of the last one decade lacked the fire to conquer World Cricket through their performance! Somewhat, for the majority of players during this period took cricket as a tool of earning money and settled the life. In today’s national team setup, Sri Lanka players are blessed with upgrading practice facilities, enhanced analytical system and a comparatively bigger support staff in the dressing room, than what was available for Mahela, Sanga or even for their coach Jayasuriya!
T20 cricket is also one of the reason for the changes of their goals! In this T20 era, franchise cricket has become first priority for them. As it was reported during the ongoing Pakistan tour, the players were willing to leave midway through, largely Influenced by the T20 leagues opportunities around the globe. As franchise cricket offers millions for a few days of cricket, test cricket has become OPTIONAL, bilateral series have become TIRING and playing for the country and winning has become less Inspirational. With this unimaginable franchise cricket money, few Sri Lanka players have bought luxury vehicles worth millions in the recent past. Absolutely nothing wrong in this as it’s their hard earned money, but it must match with their performance!
Then, there is an ever presence of managers mafia in Sri Lanka Cricket, which has detailed many promising careers! As soon as a player performs in a handful of matches in domestic cricket, these players flock at their doors to trap them. Then after, players turn into products and the player mafia sells them in franchise cricket. It has become the most normalized trend in Sri Lanka Cricket in the last few years.
Perhaps that’s why, Sri Lanka Cricket no longer produces an Aravinda De Silva, a Muttiah Muralidharan, a Jayasuriya or Mahela, Sangakkara!
That’s why, poor performance in the ongoing Pakistan tour is not surprising!
Even then, it rings a timely wake up call for Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 World cup early next year. Sri Lanka, along with India, will be co-hosting the ICC event, thus, it is expected to produce good performance!
Sri Lanka, still, can turn around it’s fortunate. Though, it depends on their willingness to introspect and take bold decisions!
The Asia Cup, Zimbabwe tour and ongoing Pakistan tour has proved that Sri Lanka lacks batting depth and firepower, especially on scoring friendly pitches. The team combination looks all wrong and it needs an Immediate overhaul. Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka and mysteriously brought back Bhanuka Rajapaksa have passed their expiry date. Likewise, Kamindu Mendis doesn’t fit in the T20 setup!
Before the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka still has T20Is home assignments against Pakistan and England. Team combinations can still be sorted out, though, it needs willingness and courage!
