Mahela steps down as T20 skipper

7 October 2012 06:11 pm - 121 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardena stepped down as T20 skipper late on Sunday. His decision came after his team's 36-run loss to West Indies in the final match of ICC World T20.

"Just one announcement guys, I have had a chat with the selectors and I have decided to step down as a captain of the Sri Lankan T20 team after the end of the tournament," Jayawardene said in a matter-of-factly manner at the end of the post-match press conference in Colombo.

"I have taken this decision so that the selection committee can groom someone younger for this job," he added.

The 35-year-old also informed that he will "assess his future as captain" in the ODIs and Tests after Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in coming December. "Obviously, I will remain captain in the Tests and ODIs till the Australia series in December and then take a call on my future as captain," he said.

When questioned whether he will continue playing twenty20 international, he smiled and replied: "It depends whether the new captain wants me in the team."

Jayawardena had been leading the team since the tour Down Under involving India earlier after Tillakaratne Dilshan had stepped down. On Sunday, in the post match conference, Jayawardena had said that while he was happy with the way the team performed, the players will have to go past the loss in the title clash.

"They played well under pressure. Marlon Samuels batted well. We have played good cricket in this tournament and will need to discuss this match and get over it," he said. He has reportedly also said that he may continue playing in this format at the international stage, the NDTV said.

Jayawardena scored 243 runs in the tournament - at an average of 40.5. His team beat the likes of Pakistan and New Zealand to reach the final.

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Comments - 121

Siva Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:28 PM

What a great gentleman he is. All should be proud of this man.Can Ranil Wickramasinghe take any lesson from this?

Hal Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:29 PM

Lessons learnt from ICC World Cup T20. Do not switch captains, play the game straight and for the sake of the game.

Thushara Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

WI had a game plan. We lost the game. Try to get the next world cup via DM Android App

Hal Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:37 PM

What about Malinga, the man who tries to fly when ever he takes a wicket. 0/54 and time to go.

chris gayle Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:38 PM

no plzz dont step down u are a wonderful leader for lankans..switching captaincy after every world cup would really harm lankan team!! mahela tried his level best to win today's game but hard luck his team mates didnt respond positively.

anjosh Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:44 PM

Best team won the cup. Let us accept it. It was sad to read comments from our supporters when Chris Gale said that they will take the cup.

DHA Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:51 PM

....haaaaaa.....RW only takes lessons from MR.....

Mp Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

Mahela made a big mistake in continuing to bowl Malinga when he was being thrashed. His 54 was a main factor that contributed to our loss. via DM Android App

Sam Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:47 PM

Thank you Mahela for all the joy and the wonderful moments. You are the best captain Sri Lanka has ever had.

I do not agree with the decision to step down, since you have done well with some limited resources. That's the hallmark of a true leader. You took us to the final, so don't look at this as a failure.

vajira Sunday, 07 October 2012 06:59 PM

Breaking news....Mumbai Indians have intimated to Malinga that his contract would not be renewed. Malinga is contemplating of making a come back from retirement to test cricket

Yuri Sunday, 07 October 2012 07:00 PM

Thanks for stopping form flue Price hike. semifinal coast every one 2 Rs for smokers

Fair N Square Sunday, 07 October 2012 07:10 PM

Malinga lost the game for Sri-Lanka... well, losing is part and parcel of cricket, but we had the game until he gave away more than 20 in one over. Mahela should have used another bowler, instead of letting Malinga bowl over # 4... Had he not given that many runs there wouldn't have been pressure on Dilshan and the trio.. Perera should have come b4 Jeevan and Angelo.. Juka taught the seniors not to cow down to pressure, attack is the best form of defense...

KJ Sunday, 07 October 2012 07:12 PM

My supper Hero..... Good Luck and pls behind with youngsters..

sanjeewad Sunday, 07 October 2012 07:16 PM

may this be an expample to our politicians. Even for just a game captain, he is taking that responsibilty.. Anyways i dont think this is a good idea and that will be realy bad when we have two captains for test ,50 over and 20/20... Overall it s a very very bad decision.

Indian Mahela Fan Sunday, 07 October 2012 07:18 PM

I dont think Jayawardne should step down. Runners up in a WC is not a small achievement also his own form is phenomenal and more importantly there is no one else better and calmer than him. Thankfully he'll stay as capt. in longer forms.

ivan Sunday, 07 October 2012 07:19 PM

Mahela you did your job right through out the tournament proud to have had captain like you - Dilshan & Malinga mush go enough isenough of them.

fahir Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

hats off to a great captain..but we managed to lose a match we had already won! I agree out with malinga...Mahela is a great inspiration for all leaders-take responsibility for the results under ur supervision...that is precisely why ur made a leader! via DM Android App

Capitaan KuCool Monday, 08 October 2012 01:34 AM

Too late.Too late. Must be go before the finals.

prageeth Monday, 08 October 2012 01:38 AM

the best captain we ever had was and never to be replace is Arjuna.

Tharaka Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

we salute you.... via DM Android App

Ahmad Monday, 08 October 2012 02:59 AM

We call this Putin Medvedev syndrome. Only few will understand it.

adel Monday, 08 October 2012 03:10 AM

Well played Mahela, as an ardent fan of SL Cricket, I will accept defeat gracefully, as you have done.
Your team and you tried & failed, to make the difference of being crowned T20 champs. MIstakes were made, hope your team takes it and make good for the next time. Wishing you the best for the cricket left in you

adel Monday, 08 October 2012 03:15 AM

Well played Mahela, as an ardent fan of SL Cricket, I will accept defeat gracefully, as you have done.
Your team and you tried & failed, to make the difference of being crowned T20 champs. MIstakes were made, hope your team takes it and make good for the next time. Wishing you the best for the cricket left in you

Nihal Amarasekera Monday, 08 October 2012 03:17 AM

Time to step down, everything is going up and up.

rosh Monday, 08 October 2012 03:39 AM

He is the ONLY leader this country have..

Rate Mahaththaya Monday, 08 October 2012 03:44 AM

Mahela wearing his DARK GLASSES on his head in a NIGHT MATCH is the problem and the Juniors like Chandimal is following him hahahaha

rosh Monday, 08 October 2012 03:41 AM

Some Pilliya was in the pavilion, and that cost us the game.

bran bal Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

he is the best....others learn from him. g8 caprain via DM Android App

seetha Monday, 08 October 2012 03:49 AM

As usual Mahela resigns and will take back captaincy after 3 months and switch the captaincy not to vice captain but to his friend Sanga, plays again lose the match and resigns again………..????????????

seetha Monday, 08 October 2012 03:49 AM

As usual Mahela resigns and will take back captaincy after 3 months and switch the captaincy not to vice captain but to his friend Sanga, plays again lose the match and resigns again………..????????????

Cleo Monday, 08 October 2012 03:49 AM

What about batting,we have three batsmen in top of ICC T20 rankings, did it work?Pathetic batting, batting cost us too..

karu Monday, 08 October 2012 04:08 AM

Quick resign clearly shows that to avoid critics and pressure from the fans

Mohamed Monday, 08 October 2012 04:09 AM

You did your part well. It was a game not for us. Well Malinga, Dilshan body language well I have daubts!!!

Ajith Monday, 08 October 2012 04:15 AM

and Malinga too should quit from all forms of Cricket.
We are no more interested to see his balls!!!!!

Cobra Monday, 08 October 2012 04:25 AM

Mahela, you didn't have to do it, after all you win a few and you lose a few, T20 cricket is like that, one never knows and it could happen to the best team in the world. Hope you will reconsider and make a come back as captain, SL T20 needs you and if you don't thanks for everything anyway.

ilyas iqbal Monday, 08 October 2012 04:28 AM

Mahela, good decision for what you have done.

Mohomed Aarun Monday, 08 October 2012 04:23 AM

No dude... they wont.. Malinga plays well for IPL. he only cant play for his mother nation... His strategies were all known to all the players now thru IPL, he s useless now!

Samitha Silva Monday, 08 October 2012 04:26 AM

Malinga is not playing for the country . He needs only money from what ever source. He should drop from SL team and groom another player .

sivan Monday, 08 October 2012 04:29 AM

mahela should be sacked in t20 , he made terrible decision by keeping malinga bowling even though he was hit all over the park by Samuels, SL should have restricted WI below 120

amitha Monday, 08 October 2012 04:37 AM

these two the ones who left out our young talent dinesh chadimal.....

Ananda Aluwihare Monday, 08 October 2012 04:44 AM

Winning and losing
is a way of life. I have
done both over and over
again. I am never defeated
either.
Let us not blame this one or the other. Thank you boys for keeping my hopes alive until today. May be some day……

Mohamed Jihaddeen Monday, 08 October 2012 04:39 AM

your a good captain - please continue...

AIA Monday, 08 October 2012 04:44 AM

Mahela should remain as the captain at least for another 2 years. but losing four finals on the trot is a very serious factor to analyze.

Apsara Monday, 08 October 2012 04:46 AM

Donot worry putha. We will not burn your houses like our neighbours. Win or loss we are always with you.

Apsara

Omar Monday, 08 October 2012 04:49 AM

Is this for real. Stepping down & coming back seems to be the order of the day in sunny Sri Lanka. Anyway if its for real congratulations for a job well done with the pressure from all quarters.

Francis Monday, 08 October 2012 04:54 AM

Mahela should be sacked he is taking advantage of the image he built a few years ago, trustbis no more, stepping down is all nonsense

He should explain why Malinga was allowed to continue to the general public when he was being hammered

I have doubts about Dilshan too. It was also cooked up and like a movie , we just watched like idiots

Minimuthu Monday, 08 October 2012 04:59 AM

Why all the above commentors can't understand that it is a
match fixing drama? Mahela should step down and go
home straight and live with his wife without disappointing
cricketing fans for money. Mahela's time was over long
time ago but he is not willing to leave because he will lose
millions of rupees being the contractor for match fixing.

SHADIQ Monday, 08 October 2012 05:05 AM

Mahela is a good captain but he has to give up his reverse sweep. That cost us the Finals. look back and take a note that the last three times Mahela got out was for the reverse sweep.
As a number one batsman in the world why cant he play the normal cricketing strokes.

Vijith Monday, 08 October 2012 05:06 AM

Winning or loosing is part of the game. But loosing continueously at 4 world cup finals is some thing unable to bear.

chaminda arse Monday, 08 October 2012 05:15 AM

Why you resign. Want to join politiks?

Ian bennett UK Monday, 08 October 2012 05:16 AM

Could be the right decision but it was a good match. His decision to use Malinga for his last two overs could be questioned as he was clearly under attack by the West Indian side.

Better luck next time Sri Lanka

Calistus Jayatilleke Monday, 08 October 2012 05:23 AM

A real sportsman-like gesture by a great sportsman. High time our two Ministers of Education follow the great example and submit their resignations as they have proved to be utter miserable failures in resolving the issues with the University Dons. If that happens, then truly we can say we are indeed the Miracle of Asia!

Roney Monday, 08 October 2012 05:25 AM

Why MR shown in the screen, from that time onwards...SL team bad time started.

Brian Monday, 08 October 2012 05:26 AM

My dream is to see Mahela and Sanga to become the leaders of our two main political partys. They are both honest, superb leaders and above all gentlemen. Lets replace our two dictators MR and Ranil. Abolish the Executive Presidency and let the country run by honest leaders like DS, SWRD, Dudely and Dahanayaka. The best two candidates to represent UNP and SLFP is Mahela and Sanga. If one get it wrong , we know that he will quit for sure. We have the next leader to make things right. No nonsence, no corruption. Sri Lanka will well and truly become the Miracle / Wonder of Asia.

PatFran Monday, 08 October 2012 05:27 AM

Cricket is not dead when lost. That is the way is Call Cricket. Go forward MARCH. All the Best

Nidimara Monday, 08 October 2012 05:28 AM

King waived to our boys when they were at 44 for 1, and then the collapse started. This is 4th time we lost cricket match after arriving of King... plz King don’t come next time ...

Minister Monday, 08 October 2012 05:35 AM

There was bad sprit was seated on the chair to see this match...after that only bad time turned to sri lanka...This happened continuelously 3 in final matches for sri lanka.

sajath Monday, 08 October 2012 05:32 AM

What a great leadership we got from our lions many more congratulations

saman wickramasinghe Monday, 08 October 2012 05:33 AM

Arjuna was the best captain we ever had. When you look at the batting order it was top heavy. Dilshan Munaweera should have opened and Mahela should have batted at no 4. Poor captaincy.

MR Minister Monday, 08 October 2012 05:41 AM

Pls stay at home and watch the match or work for the nation...bcos this not the first time we lost 4th times bcos of your arrrival and bad time started for SL team side.

Sama Monday, 08 October 2012 05:48 AM

Then, Who was there to take the captancy? Was it you? Don't publish pathetic comments. We are runners up, Please don't forget that.

Lalindra Monday, 08 October 2012 05:47 AM

“When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.”

Yeah Wright Monday, 08 October 2012 05:55 AM

you watched like an idiot and now you're talking like an idiot

Yeah Wright Monday, 08 October 2012 05:58 AM

You are dead right. What our stupid team should do is to get knocked out in the first or second round like the South Africans, Kiwis, England etc so that us long suffering fans will find it much easier to bear then. Then we can be all overjoyed like the SAF, Kiwi fans etc.

nimal Monday, 08 October 2012 06:06 AM

If Srilanka play against Australia instead of Pakistan in semifinal....it would have given more confident in the final......

WAZEEM Monday, 08 October 2012 06:07 AM

Its a good decision. The time has come to groom youngsters in the T-20 format focussing the next world cup. The three legends Mahela, Sanga & Dilshan should concentrate on ODI and Tests. These 03 should play the next ODI world cup which will be played in Australia as we need their service since the wickets will be fast and bounce.

Smart Monday, 08 October 2012 06:15 AM

Malinga was over bowled and Thisara and Dilshan not bowled at all.....When batting the
captain and deputy could have done better with straight bats
instead of the high risk reverse sweeps....Samuels played regular cricket shots even in a crisis so there was not need for the shots our boys played.

Rishan Monday, 08 October 2012 06:16 AM

Have you heard of a captain named Arjuna Ranatunga?

Hamaduru Lanka Monday, 08 October 2012 06:20 AM

There are 2 reason for loosing this match:
1- Malinga's sexy balls gave more Runs - So go and take rest at home and give opportunity to other talented players without making an other lost for sri lanka.

2- MR arrival to the Stadiuem, bcos of this we lost 4 times since he was there. As a country big boss, astrologers say she should not participate bcos sri lanka will defeat. So this is what happened 4th times. - We elected him to develop the country, not bring famine or defeat to our nation as being a lead of this country. So hereafter stay at home at watch and work for the nation

CRICKETLOVER Monday, 08 October 2012 06:22 AM

wow......SL Lose is simple reason that is M M M M M- Mahela (Poor shot selcetion) Malinga (Poor Bowling) Mathews (Poor wise cap) Mentalay Effected and Mahinda...

Roshan Monday, 08 October 2012 06:33 AM

Like you said it can be match fixing, but fixing is done by the higher authority, where Mahela has to obey, like what happen to the 50 overs final against India.

saman wickramasinghe Monday, 08 October 2012 06:29 AM

Yes. Who never appeared in an adverisement for money. A man of principles.

aggona chandare Monday, 08 October 2012 06:29 AM

knew when we saw the face on TV same happeneed in 2009 T20 2011 50 over and yesterday please dont com hereafter MR

Viraj_Hewage Monday, 08 October 2012 06:33 AM

WI won because they played the game with passion, responsibility , purpose and intent. WI won because they were hungry for greater achievements.
SL lost without a fight because they lacked the passion,responsibility, purpose and intent. SL lost because they were satisfied with reaching the final.
That Mahela was invited to lead after Dilshan resigned , was bad enough. If Mahela is the kind of leader SL has in the ranks , then SL cricket is in crisis , big time.
Hope this win will inspire a generation of west indians to take up cricket and the crowds to remind us what the carribbean once was.

ANURA NANAYAKKARA Monday, 08 October 2012 06:38 AM

both Mahela and Malinga should step down. Get some youngsters and groom them to handle pressure and play sensible cricket.

Nabavi Jeseem Monday, 08 October 2012 06:48 AM

When we won the 1996 World cup finals it was Arjuna & aravinda who stayed in the middle till the end. Jayasuriya & Kaluwitharana were out cheaply, but still after a cameo from Gurusinghe, it was Arjuna & Aravinda who patiently took Sri Lanka to victory. They were calm & cool till the end. At the beginning of the innings, both took singles & thereafter started to hit boundaries at the end. In a world cup Final (against Australia) 250 runs was a very big score, but still they did it.

Coming back to yesterday's final, when Jayawardene & Sangakkara were batting i was hoping that these two could take us till the end. But, unlike Arjuna & Aravinda, Mahela & Sangakkara pressed the panick button & got out cheaply. People talk so much about Mahela & Sangakkara but i still believe Arjuna & Aravinda were the best batting couple SL has produced. In a world cup final, you cant expect the lower order to score runs. It is the responsibility of the top five to score runs.

ProtestBuster Monday, 08 October 2012 07:05 AM

Yes, Mahela is a great player and a gentleman.
When introducing a new captain, we could start with the T20 format and as the new captain in that format gains experience he could be asked to take over in the other formats as well.
We had a bad final but Sri Lanka did very well in this tournament.

Yehiya Monday, 08 October 2012 07:12 AM

Mahela is the man for Sri lanka. But selectors must appoint again mahela to captaincy.This is good culture. But most of the experts criticised the pitches.

Anura Monday, 08 October 2012 07:14 AM

It was absurd balling by Malinga, however, thanks to other excellent ballers it was not a big score by WI. Then Sanga and Mahela wasted 12 overs at the crease for 50 runs and allowed run rate pressure to build up to 11 runs /over. Either they did not read the match conditions in batting or they both are involved in fixing it. Malinga should be and must be dropped from national team.

Sareek Monday, 08 October 2012 07:26 AM

Mahela you save us from patrol price hike.

Government Monday, 08 October 2012 07:43 AM

WE lost.. the match so dont worry...I will not increase the price of any itme - from Day dream Ghoast

berty Monday, 08 October 2012 07:47 AM

This is you mean sports. The English the creator of cricket have
had ever won cricket world cup. You have taken a stupid decision being a good sportsman. Do not be a politician who ruin our country. You are a bad example to others.Asians are
more emotional in games. Sorry the English though they introduced cricket they did teach us the value of sports. Sports build up personality of human being which help to develop once
nation.

Cric-123 Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

Good luck. via DM Android App

UP Monday, 08 October 2012 07:55 AM

If leadership losses matches then leader has to go. Leaving before asking is a rare quality especially in Sri Lanka. Thanks for the best service you have delivered under pressure during past years.

Sangakara Monday, 08 October 2012 08:02 AM

You did the correct thing b4 you are aked to resign..I thnk this is a good decision for both you and the game.You are too matured for T20.You seem to be following safty first attitude.But higher the risk higher the return.In a test match, you can come back even after a mistake.Shorter the game,it is very difficult to come back.Ideas are conventional and predictable.You never started the bowling with a spinner.Dishan bowled only one over in the entire tornement.In short, you didnt make use of your resources.Also your VC is a spineless cricketer.Take a good rest dude.

Ranjith Silva Monday, 08 October 2012 08:07 AM

Better step-down before removing as a master of failure.
Never made the mission complete but taken to climax and sleep.

The old saying to be changes: Gifted the cup when resigning.

LankanFellow1com Monday, 08 October 2012 08:12 AM

When we win u praise all the players and when we loose u curse them all... Accept defeat and Windies played better than us and they won.... Don't forget how we played well and won the semis against Pakistan

Jayantha Monday, 08 October 2012 08:25 AM

you are 100% correct, it was not a big score and Mahela nad Sanga did not read the conditions well, Like Samuel in WI we could have put Thisara to open the match with Dilshan

thui Monday, 08 October 2012 08:28 AM

People still dont get what the root coz for this, we need to take corruption out of cricket, in school ppl can bribe thier way in to captaincy, and even in clubs like SSC. its all money if you let the genuine talant to play we will do better. I am sick of ppl who say we have done well. We have lost ! 2nd Best is never good. Shame, escpecially with ppl like malinga he should be sent to india ASAP, with rest of the clowns who love IPL.

Kadir Monday, 08 October 2012 08:28 AM

Agreed Sir, Captaining IPL team is better than captaining SL Money wise.

thui Monday, 08 October 2012 08:30 AM

dont be stupid, its shame we have ppl like you

thui Monday, 08 October 2012 08:36 AM

lions or pussy cats .... ?

thui Monday, 08 October 2012 08:37 AM

lol really ?

TOTO Monday, 08 October 2012 08:44 AM

Its very simple prediction when you look at the match yesterday, malinga given continues overs is a great mistake, we had spinners like Dilsan should have been opted, And as you read the match slow run rate, as a captain you should have taken in a bowl hitter like Perera / Kula / even Malinga to increase the run rate even 2 sixes or 2 fours in an over would have given mental fit to the team. For me it is a poor captaincy at the stage of lot pressure and in a world cup final match.

Sakeer Monday, 08 October 2012 08:40 AM

“In fairness to Mahela’s Cricketing Career”, he should highly be regarded as one of bet best cricketers and cricket captains of the Cricketing World. Mahela is simply superb, and his decision on stepping down must be accepted as he failed to fulfill his job eventually as a captain.
It is sorry to hear from an experienced campaigner like Mahela that “under pressure” situation has put SL in trouble which is an awkward statement from a person who has set many examples in the past!!!
The main reason for the defeat are; that SL had a strategy only for “Gayle Factor”, not as a whole for the WI Team and Malinga’s poor bowling and Dilshan’s poor start (As usual, he couldn’t give good start in a vital game).
Hard luck and SL must do something to find the “winning formula” now …

david Monday, 08 October 2012 08:53 AM

mahela may be a good captain but certainly not the best. the way he handled his bowlers, especially lasith malinga in the finals against WI, was not acceptable at all.

Yunus Monday, 08 October 2012 09:13 AM

Anyone can give our opinions BUT the crust of the game is when you go in there to field, bat or bowl. The whole cricketing world is looking at you on how to bat without getting a duck, how not to miss a catch, how to take a wicket etc. Take India, with a population of over a billion could not find 11 players to win the cup. You have good days and day days. You need to have little bit of luck too for any sports.

Raja Monday, 08 October 2012 09:16 AM

Arjuna was the best captain ever....

Try to win a game and give the chance to youngsters,this is the fourth game that we have lost in final of ICC world cup.

When will these guys learn from mistakes?????????????

Disappointing..

Sunny Monday, 08 October 2012 09:22 AM

Srilankan batting is not strong and this was the main reason which they could not chase 137. They heavily depend on their bowling attack and Malinga leaked more runs

Bagalawathie Monday, 08 October 2012 09:23 AM

When Malinga gets hit, he should have been replaced by a good spinner. The score was gettable and our batting let us down. Better luck 7th time.

Dera Monday, 08 October 2012 09:29 AM

Just because your prime bowler is hit for 20 runs in one over, a captain will always back him to come back, Malinga has done it so many time for the country, yesterday was a one off-day, well played Sri Lanka, you've made the country proud.

mercy Monday, 08 October 2012 09:31 AM

Definetely Mahela has taken us to many finals where as RW or MR has never gone taken UNP or UPFA or the country just even to the international or asian economical KO stage though different ball games RW & MR knows the principles are simple and plain in both .
My Heavens What Happened .When Gayle go out cheaply and still we lose simply i cannot understand. The calmness ysnonymous with Arjuna An dArvinda was a little bit absent in mahela and sanga they should have preserved their wickets and auotmatically the flood gates would have opened later this is the simple rule in cricket

summer thorn Monday, 08 October 2012 09:52 AM

when it comes to big finals like this it is the experience batsmans knock, that will win the match. Not the inexperiemce youngsters however talented they are. Look at any match of this calibre and you will realise.Mahela, tillakaratne, sanga, they failed and the entire country is disapointed with their performance. However winning a final is not only talent alone, country and people should deserve that. yes, west indies deserves this win not Sri Lanka.

warra Monday, 08 October 2012 10:04 AM

it is not about captaincy, Mahela is a world class player, and the only one to be consistent in the SL team. we would have bundled out WI for about 100 runs, if not for Malinga. the moment Samuals simply trashed Malinga for 54 runs the match was lost 140 was a defending total. i don't understand Malinga's technique, and the overrated hype for him. to me his is an inconsistent bowler. or simply retire.

k. Raja Monday, 08 October 2012 10:00 AM

duck-worth lewis, guilty

prageeth Monday, 08 October 2012 10:04 AM

this is bullshit in first class...Mahela is the one who brought this result. Took it too easy with no strategy in full favored conditions (ground, crowd, pitch, etc...). Why did he select Mumbai Malinga for the final?? Think about the shot where Mahela got-out??He must be sorry for himself and Nation?? Shame on you Mahela.!!!

Nirmal Monday, 08 October 2012 10:16 AM

Mahela is only fit as a brides maid and never to be a bride. 3 attempts at world cup finals yielded nothing, it means that he has not learn't his lessons. If he is to be called a great captain he should have at least brought one world cup home. Yesterday he was very careless as a captain , while batting he tried to take on their best bowler and perished with a rash shot, if he was thinking he should have taken on a lesser known bowler , bowling Malinga one too many, not only cost us, it demoralized the team including the captain, the body language showed this after Sammy took us apart in the last two overs. So it is good that he is going and we have look at some one who can win tournaments no point having high profile captains if they cant deliver what matters most in the end.

aja Monday, 08 October 2012 10:28 AM

Well said Nabavi, thats correct this why we lost yday they Mahela and Sanga should have waitied till then end even if the run rate was down we could have cought up . Arjuna and Ara are much ahead than these two players .

waz Monday, 08 October 2012 10:25 AM

Hal, please remember this is Not IPl!

theonlooker Monday, 08 October 2012 10:49 AM

what hapnd lankans?when india won da 2011 world cup,u wr gng ga ga over da pitch setup,match fixing,bcci influence etc etc.what hapnd t ur team in ur own soil..?cricket is a day's game...ur team plays well..cntinue da gd spirit..

Owen Monday, 08 October 2012 11:11 AM

RESPECT you^\ ^\ ^\

Malini Monday, 08 October 2012 11:12 AM

Mahela we salute to you. Your service to Cricket is unforgettable and you are a real leader. Our politicians in both sides must learn from you to leave the leader ship if lost and play the Game.Hon. RW please learn from Mahela Jayawardana.

Feroze from Dubai Monday, 08 October 2012 11:15 AM

"Malinga the Man" Once again he sold the match without making the issue very big and made his money via mumbai match fixers. Always he does this money making tric in the
Big Matchers like this. He sold in the 2011 WC in Mumbai, and in Hobart to India last year and Asia Cuap to India again beautifully and now.

Feroze from Dubai Monday, 08 October 2012 11:21 AM

HE tried in the SF too by dropping the Dolly from HAfeez. Guys wake up, he is making lot of money by letting the whole SL Down. He gave the highest runs in Hobart (0 for 96) and (0 for 54 in 4 Overs) where his die hard colleagues were most economical. in these matches, he never balls well decieved Slow Balls or toe Crunching Yourkers!! Why? those are only for MI. and this money greedy man will alwyas fight with the board to increase his match fee and Salary.

ranjith Monday, 08 October 2012 11:22 AM

He step down last year and came back again.just like politicos

Feroze from Dubai Monday, 08 October 2012 11:17 AM

Malinga - To make more money he only focus on T20 nd ODI leaving test Cricket. He is the culprit of SL losses especially after he joined MI and having had ll his suspicisous contacts of Mumbai Match Fixers. He must be dropped and his and his family members's phones should be investigated for match fixing allegations

Malith Tharanga Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

this is so sad capton.. but we always with you as a nation as a fans,good luck for you and your future cricket triple gems bless you via DM Android App

patriot Monday, 08 October 2012 04:01 PM

No use wasting time analyzing. Accept the fact that our team is not the best. That's why we lost.

richardson Monday, 08 October 2012 04:42 PM

We lost the match, But Malinga became the MAN OF THE MATCH for the second highest score And Mahela became the

Person who helped Malinga score 57 runs.

Come on Mahela We need you two losers to be in our team
at least for another 15 years.

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Mahela steps down as T20 skipper

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