- The cricket fans and enthusiasts would be a worried lot to see how the Sri Lankan cricket team, in general, is shaping up of late in comparison to other nations. The exploits of the current Sri Lankan cricket simply do not match up to the rising expectations of the cricket-loving public. Blow hot and blow cold dispositions of the Lankans hardly evoke confidence in their competitiveness to take on the stronger teams like India, Australia, England, and New Zealand, just to name a few. Of course, the Lankans did surprise by winning a historic Test series in South Africa recently. However, the consistency factor to be counted amongst the best continues to evade the Lankans who have the potential to scale up a notch or two for sure.
PC: SMH
- The Lankans were whitewashed in the three-match T20 series quite comprehensively recently by Team India without actually breaking into a sweat. The first of the two-Test series in Mohali was also won by Team India handsomely and with two days to spare. The all-around performance of rockstar Ravindra Jadeja was on full display as the southpaw not only notched up an impressive 175 not out with the bat but also went on to claim a match haul of 9 wickets to boot. It would be an understatement to mention that Ravindra Jadeja was all over the hapless Lankans resulting in their meek surrender. In a most worrying sign, the Lankan batters could not cross 200 in each of the two innings shows how poorly they fared in tackling the potent Indian bowling attack.
- Trust me, the Sri Lankan teams of yore always used to produce some swashbuckling cricketers who could change the complexion of the game through outstanding performances. Renowned cricketers like Muthiah Muralitharan, Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda D ’Silva, Sanath Jayasurya, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardena, and Kumar Sangakkara, are just a few marquee players who were not only loved for the way they bandied about their skillsets but also respected for the never-say-die approach adopted whilst taking on the opposition. Even though these players represented a different era but progressively formed a part of the subsequent teams as well, there was no denying the fact that the Lankan team was never considered a mere pushover.
PC: Chris Dhambarage
- Unfortunately, the present Lankan team touring India hardly has any worthy match winner or for that matter a world-class player taking on the might of the opponents fearlessly. Angelo Mathews may be counted as an exception for his earlier batting exploits, but he too lacks that consistency factor to be named amongst the very best in the business. Of course, the transition phase affects every other team, and as such, the Sri Lankan team to is not an exception. However, a dearth of quality players to emerge who could be trusted to come out with exceptional performances regularly is sorely missing. As such, the Lankans will struggle to put up even a semblance of fight or last the distance to leave behind a mark. The Sri Lankan cricket Board should introspect.
