Tue, 23 Apr 2024 Today's Paper

Misfiring Sri Lankan IPL stars to be recalled home

4 May 2013 04:55 am - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A concerned Sri Lanka will call back their off-colour stars from the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament to take part in a local preparation tournament for next month’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, national chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said yesterday.

“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) must make an immediate official request to the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to discuss with the IPL franchises and get those franchises to release the Sri Lankan players who they might feel won’t be picked for the remainder of this IPL season. It is obviously the best option for the out-of form players is to play some tough, competitive cricket in a quality preparation tournament rather than warming the benches in India. We are confident that the BCCI and IPL franchises will also see the logic, because they can’t benefit from keeping the players in their squads just to make the numbers,” Jayasuriya told “Daily Mirror”.

Jayasuriya said the selectors have already communicated their idea to the SLC officially and it is up to the SLC to negotiate with BCCI and IPL franchises to get the players released. He said that he was aware that SLC officials have already taken steps to make an attempt to get the players back.

IPL franchises yesterday released New Zealand players Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor for national duty and Jayasuriya pointed it out as a positive sign.

None of the 10 Sri Lanka stars in the current IPL have shown even a semblance of the class that has taken Sri Lanka to an unprecedented number one ranking in T20 world cricket and this has caused serious concern among national selectors who on Thursday named the Sri Lanka squad for the Champions Trophy tournament in England which is scheduled for June 6-23 with all Test playing nations, except Zimbabwe, taking part.

Cricket legend Jayasuriya said that he is increasingly worried about the pathetic form shown by Sri Lanka senior players in the IPL but expressed hope that the stars would regain touch in time ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy tournament that begins next month in England.

“It is true T20 is a different format from the limited overs cricket which would be played at the Champions Trophy. But we can get a decent indication of the kind of form our boys are in through their performance in the IPL,” Jayasuriya added.

The Triangular practice tournament, which is a laudable, unprecedented move by the current selectors will be played in Kandy ahead of the Champions Trophy and the Sri Lanka A team’s tour to the West Indies.

Sri Lanka Rest team, SLC Combined Team and Sri Lanka A Team will play this triangular practice limited overs tournament from May 10 to 20 at Pallekele. Both day matches and day/night matches have been scheduled while Kandy has been chosen as the venue with the hope of getting players acclimatized to different conditions.

The team called “Sri Lanka Rest” will be the virtual national team, Sri Lanka A will be made up of players selected for the West Indies tour while the SLC Combined team will comprise of other promising young players.

None of the Sri Lankan batsmen or bowlers have managed to provide stand-out performances during the current IPL which started on April 3 and is scheduled to go on till May 26.

Angelo Mathews who captained Pune Worriers had give up his captaincy as he was not assured of his place in the team after a string of failures while Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kumar Sangakkara also had to drop himself from the side. Delhi Daredevils captain Mahela Jayawardene has been more fortunate, but his erratic form too has still caused problems for his side.

Except for Thisara Perera who has made some useful all round contributions to the Sunrisers team and below-par Mumbai Indians pace spearhead Lasith Malinga, the other Sri Lankans have made it to the playing XI only on and off and have not been able to grab a permanent spot in their teams.(Channaka de Silva)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 22

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Chan Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:07 AM

    So our national team is captained and made out of IPL rejects. That's a new low. So sad.

    sam Saturday, 04 May 2013 07:04 AM

    logical thinking by mr pas.

    Kit udugama Saturday, 04 May 2013 07:02 AM

    Anay oya golla wiket gahanne nathuwa ennako. Thawa wiket match hungak thiuyenawada ??
    Oya golla navatha porapol sellama patanganna ona.
    Apita Triket epa.

    Amila. G Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:49 AM

    Even for Money Some So Call big guns have performed miserably . Very poor show . But talks bull.

    Kit udugama Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:47 AM

    Please keep them there till it's over. They can get in to shorts and do a good job as cheer leaders !!!


    Ra Ra Ra , sismumba, Mumbai Indias Ra Ra Ra

    DCOL Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:46 AM

    This is what he should have done without wasting on Politics..

    Same goes for the Arjuna too,

    Kit udugama Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:43 AM

    Post new year festivals are not over yet. They must come and participate in PORA POL. CHUCH GUDU, and WALA SALLI
    and games as such. Some of them are really good at those games ,but no money.

    Priyantha Gunaratna Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:40 AM

    A very good move. IPL T20 and Champions Trophy are completely different and the form our players in IPL does not give a true indication. However, it is better for them to have some 50 over match practice in somewhat similar climatic conditions before they depart rather than warming benches in IPL.

    Kit udugama Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:27 AM

    Puwak kadapu kollo dan raja wela cricket nisa.

    Do they know how to use a toilet and flush ???

    firefox Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:24 AM

    Sanath this is not your call, you are the selector, Your job should be to select the best team that is available!

    RukshanT Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:09 AM

    Good move Sana. Nobody cares whether they perform for IPL teams or not, what really matters is they perform for the country.

    amjad Saturday, 04 May 2013 12:00 AM

    gd move sana I hope this will work via DM Android App

    faz Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:57 AM

    sana must be jealous of the fact that their paid so much for sitting on the bench

    Huna Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:55 AM

    good move and please get one specialist batting coach to assist Mahela to adjust his technique , sick of seeing him getting out almost the same fashion in every game ( caught at slip while going for a drive)

    Prof. Calculas Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:52 AM

    Not only cricketers, misfiring politicians must be sent home.

    CHOGM Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:51 AM

    Well played Sana you are playing some master strokes as a selector.You have played the game at the highest level for your mother land,Captained SL and you know the rule putha.

    Nimal Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:49 AM

    If you mean only ' off color stars ' i think, you would have to call back all srilankan players, in the bench or on the ground all are in the same form

    Manugit Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:36 AM

    Well said Sana!

    Dilan Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:35 AM

    Good call.

    rathne Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:31 AM

    Money has become the ultimate driving force in sports. Not only for our players, see the stand has been taken by Jacques Kallis. He can play IPL, but not to play for his country in the champions trophy. This is so sad......

    Lankashantha Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:25 AM

    Second class players for the home country to represent?

    clueless Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:15 AM

    Good move, except for Thisara & Sachithra the rest have been in poor form. In future we should not send national captain to get humiliated.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment




Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka