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SL players not capable enough to play in IPL: Murali

12 April 2017 09:19 am - 28     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Muttiah Muralitharan believes that talented cricketers do exist in Sri Lanka, but they need to polish their skills a lot more to play in the IPL. Unlike previous seasons, the number of cricketers from India’s neighbouring nation, plying their trade in the cash rich league, is far from impressive.

“Are you saying we don’t have the talent back home?” One of the greatest spinners of all time,Muralitharan said “At the moment, Sri Lanka does not have capable players to play in the IPL. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England, there are a lot of good players there. The tournament can have 32 international players, our guys don’t fit into it,” the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach opined.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the diminutive former off break specialist said that team owners don’t look at Sri Lankan players the same way as before. Muralitharan suggested that his compatriots need to get a lot more experience under their belt before they can be picked up by IPL teams.

“Actually, we are lacking a little bit. We had great players but they all retired. Until the new guys establish themselves, IPL won’t pick them because you have to pick the best 4 players. There are other more experienced players available, why should they pick inexperienced Sri Lankan players?”

The 45-year-old looked back on the progress of the game, since he made his debut for the national side way back in 1992. Muralitharan believes that the T20 format has played a crucial role in the development of cricket.

“T20 cricket around the world is helping cricket reach out to more younger people. That is more important because those days, Test and ODI’S was watched by older people. Now there are more younger fans, it’s good that the IPL started this in 2007. The payments help the players to live their life,” he stated.

Muralitharan, who picked up over 3000 wickets in total during his stellar career, reckons that cricket has changed a lot over the last decade. But he refused to make comparisons suggesting that it would be unfair.

“Cricket is so much different now than in the 90’s. In ODI’s, 220 was a winning score, today even at 350 you can’t be sure. Batsman’s mentality has changed but you can’t compare generations. Maybe in another 10 years, it will change more,” he said.

Last week Cricket South Africa (CSA) started the application process for those who wish to partake in the T20 Global Destination League. But the Sri Lankan believes that without Indian players, the success of such leagues would be minimal.

“Whatever said and done, if Indian players are not going to play in those tournaments, it’s not going to be a big hit. Because, everyone wants Indian players, if they’re not allowed to play there, it won’t have a big impact like the IPL,” he said.

Under the tutelage of Muralitharan, Afghani spin sensation, Rashid Khan has taken the IPL by storm. He picked up 3 wickets in his last outing against Gujarat Lions and is the current holder of the purple cap.

“We chose him because we’ve seen him play international cricket. He’s been bowling well to good players, he’s different from other leg spinners because he’s a bit quicker than the others. In IPL, the bowler knows what to do, all we can do is give confidence,” Muralitharan signed off.(SportsKeeda)


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  Comments - 28

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  • Imran Wednesday, 12 April 2017 01:35 PM

    Bitter truth

    Dee Thursday, 13 April 2017 03:17 PM

    Mallu masala! Eh?

    Ahamed Nuzhan Thursday, 13 April 2017 11:52 AM

    Why should they give a chance, when there are better players elsewhere.

    Fazlan Thursday, 13 April 2017 10:59 AM

    Absolutely what Murali says is correct. Why cant we take this as an advise and improve our skill to match the other players. To be honest we don't have any big hitters currently comparing to other international players. There any many young players whom should get improved, if we always taking the things on negative way one day we will end up on down the list only. TRUTH IS ALWAYS BITTER

    ANTON Thursday, 13 April 2017 10:28 AM

    SRILANKA GOT HUGE POPULARITY OWING THREE PERSONS, BANDARANAYAKE, PRABAKARAN AND MULARIDARAN.

    Man Thursday, 13 April 2017 10:20 AM

    T20 is not cricket, at all. It's Elle or Base ball for the elite. So no need of a special talent. Test cricket what matters, for talent and patience.

    MX Thursday, 13 April 2017 09:23 AM

    Agree with Murali... There are capable guy's but the consistency is missing like other players ....

    MM Thursday, 13 April 2017 08:11 AM

    what Murali says is the actual situation one is commenting how we are maintaining the high ranking (where please update) anotherone says how we won word cup (Murali is telling we had ) Asela picked up but not sure he will get a game please look at both sides via DM Android App

    Praba Thursday, 13 April 2017 03:12 AM

    Two questions. Why aren't Indians playing T20 leagues outside India? And why are Pakistan players not selected to IPL? IPL is first politics. Then money. Last Cricket.

    indrajith Thursday, 13 April 2017 12:22 AM

    This is the problem we have. Its a national weakness. We cannot take criticism constructively. Bad, we hit back at the messenger. Read the message,even it appears exaggerated. If we had talents that work, several would have been in the IPL. Murali bad talk takes us nowhere.

    Shelly Wednesday, 12 April 2017 03:34 PM

    And you too was not...Murally. via DM Android App

    RK Wednesday, 12 April 2017 02:48 PM

    DEAR MURALI IT WAS SAD TO HEAR FROM YOU THAT SRI LANKANS ARE NOT FIT FOR IPL. THEN HOW COME WE MAINTAIN HIGH RATING IN T20 RANKING. the fact of the matter is Indian do not want to give us an opportunity. via DM Android App

    Katus Wednesday, 12 April 2017 02:35 PM

    IPL and WW wrestling both are fixed game.. No serious battle.

    Mason Wednesday, 12 April 2017 02:08 PM

    T 20 has taken Cricket top great heights. It has improved the batting and makes watching ODIs and Tests more interesting. There is praise for T 20 in all Cricket playing nations, and agreement as well that it has contributed positively to the game of cricket. It will do us immense good to accept Murali's advise and see that our players gain more experience.

    nick Wednesday, 12 April 2017 09:19 AM

    excuse us Mr Muraliyes ur a legend when it comes to spin bowling but now things have change even if u go & ball in ipl ur balls will be disappeared to the stand the number of games u played in ipl have showed ur expensive overs unfortunately a great bowler cannot be a always a great coach or even a advisor as Aussie took u for temporary basis u failed big time so prove us ur good at advicing or coahing buy doing some great works instead discouraging our young growing talents we respect u until today even tomorrow but dont discourage our boys via DM Android App

    Neo Wednesday, 12 April 2017 01:24 PM

    Following the progress of our cricketers you see improvement. What they lack is the will power to do different things to suit the need. They are super talented and a treat to watch. Keep them out of I PL as it corrupts them with the big money and also they all their tactics are known to different players from different countries and shared.

    Roman Wednesday, 12 April 2017 11:36 AM

    weight is not an issue as long as you can bowl yokers!

    Bala Wednesday, 12 April 2017 10:44 AM

    It is not discouragement but the reality. you have to face it. Other than Mathew we have no regulars to be chosen from. see SA AB,Amla,Quntin andAussies Maxwell eetc, who do we have regular players ?

    Anushka Wijepala Wednesday, 12 April 2017 10:43 AM

    This is the bitter truth. However IPL and International Cricket cannot be compared. When it comes to the team spirit, no team is capable enough to compete with Sri Lanka.

    Sri Lankan Wednesday, 12 April 2017 10:40 AM

    Murali is wrong; WHY? All we have now is pol shot "elle" players , ideal for IPL, it will take years to produce classy players like Sanga and Mahela. Pls find some good cricketers from good schools.

    ak Wednesday, 12 April 2017 10:33 AM

    Sone guys who have commented have just read the headline they should read the entire article to get an idea of what he had told. via DM iOS App

    Lawry Wednesday, 12 April 2017 10:29 AM

    Well we all knew that our players are indeed different and not geared to play IPL cricket for whatever reason. Murali only articulated it in words. We all knew it. Thanks to Malinga and Thisara there was some achievement to pump adrenaline. Stop looking through tinted glasses at Murali and Malinga. Are we missing the point?

    Ceyloneze Wednesday, 12 April 2017 10:21 AM

    First of all Mr Murali, T20 is not cricket at all. So don't use T20 as a criteria for measuring cricketers talent.

    Krishnan Wednesday, 12 April 2017 09:58 AM

    No one is interested in the IPL,we are interested only in our Sri Lankan national team. Actually the IPL is corrupting our national players.

    zuh Wednesday, 12 April 2017 09:49 AM

    you forgot your past via DM iOS App

    Kaboos Wednesday, 12 April 2017 09:47 AM

    Murali with dual citizenship . Your comments are not acceptable how can Sri Laka win the T20 world cup without skill and talent..

    cricket lover Wednesday, 12 April 2017 09:42 AM

    Hello nickwhy you take it as negative. take his point to positive, reality should be admired at any point. true our players need to improve the talent to meet the world requirement. GOT IT.

    Nihal Wednesday, 12 April 2017 09:30 AM

    Exactly believe our players need more experience and reduce their weight via DM Android App


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