Sanga, Mahela lament lack of Sri Lankan presence in IPL

20 February 2021 10:57 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Sri Lanka cricket stars Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who occupy major off-field roles for Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians respectively in the Indian Premier League (IPL), have blamed lack of clarity on tours programme by Sri Lanka Cricket and lack of bowlers and all-rounders for the absence of any player from the country in the 2021 season of the tournament.

This is the first time that none of the franchises will feature any Sri Lanka cricketer in the IPL. It is especially surprising since the island country hosted its first edition of its T20 tournament, the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in late 2020.

"I think there were some fantastic players there (in the Lanka Premier League) and in Sri Lanka currently. But I think the crucial thing is the unpredictability of the touring programme of SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) where it is very hard to predict for how long players can be available and if they have to even leave at some point in the IPL season," said Sangakkara while speaking to the media on Friday.

"So it adds a bit of volatility that franchises kind of shy away from. That is one of the big reasons why you see a lack of Sri Lanka players in the IPL and definitely not because they don't have the capability," added the former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper and captain.

Jayawardene, on the other hand, said that the auction saw the demand for bowlers and bowling all-rounders which Sri Lanka don't have.

"It is disappointing and disheartening... I think a few guys were on the radar, but it is a tough place because we are looking at 20-odd slots for overseas players, and the majority of those slots were for the fast bowlers and all-rounders. Sri Lanka lacks a bit of that," Jayawardene told the media.

"IPL is the place where you try and get the best players in world cricket, and it's a good message for the Sri Lankan cricketers to lift their game and be competitive so that they could be part of the IPL on their merit," the former captain added. (Times of India)

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Comments - 12

Moorthy Badulla Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:20 AM

It is clearly a vicious circle. If you let the home team( Your Mother) down, you don't have any place anywhere in the world.

SriLankan Cricket Lover Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:30 AM

True but our Cricketers proved well in the LPF.

GLP Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:31 AM

Dirty politicians should not interfere in Politics., then our boys will have a good reputation.

Sunil Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:31 AM

Dear Sanga and Mahela, sadly, the days you dominated the field are over. Sri Lanka's cricket is in the process of dying a natural death, a victim of a country that is now corrupt to the core.

Jude Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:31 AM

MOST people DON'T KNOW that IPL was created by American company based in New York City by the name IMG (International Management Group) is a global sports, events and talent management company!! WHAT SL need is an EXPERT FOREIGN company to restructure THE whole LANKAN cricket system from schools to clubs and entire game in SL !! With an long and short term PLAN to bring BACK the glory days!! Yeah!!

Raju Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:32 AM

Cricket should not be played based on Money making. IPL does it.... bookies..

Prof. K.K. Rajaratnam Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:36 AM

Hon. Sanga

Jude Saturday, 20 February 2021 11:39 AM

I reiterate, LANKAN cricket has hit the rock bottom!! Need EXPERT FOREIGN company to restructure the game in SL !! Yeah

Vipin B. Saturday, 20 February 2021 01:33 PM

Don't lament. Start working with our cricket team to help them improve rather than engaging with UK clubs and Indian clubs.

Peacemaker Saturday, 20 February 2021 01:51 PM

SL players can play only with rajapaksa balls, that’s the political situation in the country right now

intikhab salih Saturday, 20 February 2021 02:16 PM

the guys to only thought of them when they were playing, are now blaming the legacy that they left behind..

Punchi Banda Saturday, 20 February 2021 06:15 PM

Cricket has hit rock bottom. The countries economy is rock bottom the international status is rock bottom and at the bottom they can find the Pakistanis in the same situation

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Sanga, Mahela lament lack of Sri Lankan presence in IPL

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