Damned if I do, damned if I don’t: Sangakkara

29 August 2013 02:01 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Caught in a cross-fire of yet another debate of his loyalty to his country, Kumar Sangakkara’s representation at the Champions League T20 tournament will likely be decided by the country’s cricket governing body, Sri Lanka Cricket.

Following a meeting with SLC officials on Monday, the former national captain, who incidentally stepped down as team captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise and was dropped for much of this year’s IPL campaign due to poor form, was informed by SLC that they would attempt to mediate with the Indian Premier League stake-holders in an attempt to have him represent the Kandurata team, the Sir Lankan team that qualified for the Champions League after winning the recent Super 4s T20 tournament.

Speaking to the ‘Daily Mirror’ in an exclusive interview, Sangakkara said that the issue, which had been blown into something it was not -- a question of country versus franchise –- and was a situation where “you are damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”

“I had discussions with SLC on Monday, which was the first time we spoke and they very clearly told me they were of the opinion that I should play for Kandurata and I said if I had a free choice where I was not being penalized, my choice would definitely be Kandurata,” the star batsmen said.

“The way the public has viewed it and it has been presented to the public, it has been made into an issue where whichever way I go, I am the one who suffers. And so I told the Cricket Board I am more than happy for them to get involved and speak to the franchise in India and the IPL governing council, and secure my release in a manner that either doesn’t penalize me or penalizes me very minimally, so I am able to play wherever they direct me to play.”

The player has been in a rich vein of form recently, qualified for the Champions League with a third team, the Jamaica Tallawahs of the Caribbean Premier League.

“Unfortunately in the last week it has been portrayed as a country versus franchise issue, a money versus loyalty issue,” Sangakkara said. “And I think this has become very confusing and it unfair not just to me but to any player in this situation, because it is not the case. I think if local players are required to play for their home franchise, then those agreements must be discussed at the start of an IPL season when the cricket board, IPL and the player sign the tripartite contract, where it is said if the player has a conflict will have to play for the home franchise, but there is no such agreement there.”

The Super 4s tournament was born out of a necessity to decide a representative for the Champions Trophy after the original T20 tournament, the Sri Lankan Premier League, was cancelled due to poor interest from franchise owners.

“I wonder if it had been an SLPL franchise that had gone through like it should have, whether this question of country over IPL would have arisen because the team owners are all foreigners” queried Sangakkara. (Shehan Daniel and Hafeel Farisz)

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Comments - 20

manomano Thursday, 29 August 2013 06:21 AM

those who robbed the opportunity of all Sri Lankan cricketers by mismanaging domestic 20-20, future tour program trying to demoralize our inform batsmen.

Rohan Abeygunawarden Friday, 30 August 2013 01:03 PM

Sanga, you stunned the entire world of cricket lovers with your "Cowedry Memorial Speech" and brought respect not only to SriLankans but to all Asians. You are the best cricketer in the world at present. All your comments and speeches at international arena shows your loyalty to Sri Lanka. Continue playing the game well. All cricket lovers are behind you.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 30 August 2013 04:21 AM

Yes, Sanga is a straight forward Gen... really admire on his statement, he will always take the right decision. Good luck Sanga...

wafiq Friday, 30 August 2013 04:09 AM

is this the way SLC treats to a person who has won to Spirit of cricket awards

Kapila Peiris Friday, 30 August 2013 02:38 AM

Sanga most of the Sri Lankans respect and support you what ever decision you have taken.your are a real gentleman and always loyal to Sri Lanka

chris Friday, 30 August 2013 01:51 AM

SANGA WE ARE WITH YOU, SLC A BLUNDERERS PARADISE.

Karu Friday, 30 August 2013 01:24 AM

You are a talented player with plenty of characters.no body can touch you.you are a asset of entire cricket world.you go ahead with your own decision.concentrate only with your current form.

ITK Thursday, 29 August 2013 07:07 AM

Say it out loud! The SLC Secretary!! just a play of politics to discredit Sanga!

Peace lover Thursday, 29 August 2013 06:42 AM

Make your own decision Sanga. We will always be your fans. Don't worry about others who do not back you when you need them.

Peace lover Thursday, 29 August 2013 06:39 AM

Yes Jagath. you are right.

be fair Thursday, 29 August 2013 03:16 AM

damned indeed, people have nothing to do these days, this is an ideal opportunity to slunder a guy like you.
As you know, play a straight bat, as a fan of SL Cricket, I will respect your deceision and be fan always

Mason Thursday, 29 August 2013 06:11 AM

Sangakkara has to stick with the Sunrisers if he has signed a contract accordingly. Kandurata is after all is only a team and not THE national team.
A person has to honour his WORD and stand by it without dilly dallying.

Kanthisiri Perera Thursday, 29 August 2013 06:09 AM

Sanga is a gentleman in every respect !

Thiruchelvam Thursday, 29 August 2013 06:05 AM

Please do not throw mud on a decent chap.

Seriously Thursday, 29 August 2013 05:43 AM

Agree with Sanga 100%. Sad things are blown ou of proportion and tales twisted.

Sim Thursday, 29 August 2013 05:25 AM

As the SLC has got involved, the SLC should compensate, Hyderabad so he can play for Kandurata.

Jagath Leanage Thursday, 29 August 2013 05:25 AM

Dear Sanga,
We know a powerful hand is dead against you. He is wating to get a chance to ax you. You are an asset to us. So be patient and don't give slightest chance to remove you from Sri Lanka cricket.

rathnaweera Thursday, 29 August 2013 04:28 AM

Let Sanga decide what the best is. He has done more to Sri Lanka Cricket, including his alma mater, on and off the field than those so called patriotic cricketers boost.

prasannah Thursday, 29 August 2013 04:16 AM

Cricket now has got itself involved into so much complications.

What is been exposed to the world is actually not the real scenario. Mind you that Kumar is involved with Jamaican team.,

I don't how this can be resolved without any conflict of interest.

I think what it should have happened is to have a clause in the contract to say that a player when needed for the national team then that comes first.

If Kumar to play for Kandurata(franchise) then that team owners as to bear the cost of getting him to play for them. With his recent form I don't think Sunrises will allow him to play for anyone else.

tin tin Thursday, 29 August 2013 04:10 AM

No question about Sanaga's loyalty! And no one can judge him by his decision on this.

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Damned if I do, damned if I don’t: Sangakkara

Comments - 20

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