The Downfall of Sri Lankan Cricket team is yet a mystery for the 90’s kids. They have seen and experienced the might of Lankans. Once the Asian Lions ruled the world cricket with their match winning bowlers and batters are now in tatters. The aggressive cricket was introduced to the world by one of the great captains of Sri Lanka, Arjun Ranatunga. Till 2014, Sri Lankan team was a powerhouse and could challenge any team in the world however the plot twisted and Sri Lankan cricket team grabbed the falling action of their cricketing story. Let’s have a bird’s eye view on the downfall of the Sri Lankan cricket team.
Retirement of Key Players
The retirement of legendary players such as Kumar Sangakkara, Rangana Herath, Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, and Tillakaratne Dilshan has left a significant void in the team. These players were not only prolific run-scorers but also provided invaluable experience and leadership. During the 1996 World cup they made their impact with batting and bowling. They beat India in Semi Final on their favourite home ground and lifted the trophy by beating the mighty Australian. Their departure has exposed the team’s reliance on a few key performers, leading to a lack of stability and consistency. They were really head on while battling with their neighboring countries like India and Pakistan. There are some thrilling encounters between India and Sri Lanka which the die hard cricket fans will not forget.Â
Poor Domestic Structure
Yes you read it correctly. The Sri Lankan cricket fans may disagree with this because they have 25 First Class teams. Isn’t it unbelievable! Then what is lacking? Always avoid the extreme! The domestic structure is not planned out according to the International standards. The domestic leagues are plagued with too many clubs of sub-par quality, which dilutes the talent pool and hampers the development of young players. While playing the Test matches, one can see the below par performance of these players. After Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka has not produced any good fast bowlers. They mostly harness the spin friendly tracks. This could be one of the reason for the downfall of Sri Lankan cricket Team in the era of T20. The other Asian countries like Afghanistan, Nepal, UAE are creating a good impact on the International stage.Â
Unsettled Combinations and Frequent Changes
The Phrase ‘Eat Sleep Repeat’ Sri Lanka Team has been taken very negatively. The team does not have a good combination of the coach and the captain who would sail through the rough sea of cricket. Since 2016, the team has had more than ten different ODI captains, which has disrupted team dynamics and performance. The constant chopping and changing have prevented the team from building a cohesive unit. Sri Lanka does not have a core team which would take challenges and promote the young players. From the last ten years, they can not zero in on one major strength of the team. Another thing, the board has not shown much faith in former Sri Lankan players to coach their team.
Lack of Quality Spinners and Bowlers
Sri Lanka has traditionally been known for producing world-class spinners, but in recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in the quality of their spin attack. Sometimes the boon is a curse. After producing the world class spinners, the Sri Lankan selection committee always thought of backing up the spinners but the Sri Lankan Board did not bother to groom any young bowler who would play all three formats. The first class pitches are curtailed for spin friendly tracks and most of the games are over within the span of three days. One major factor is the constant injury of the players. You may not find a bowler who would consistently perform throughout the year. This has left the team vulnerable, especially in conditions that favor spin bowling.
Financial and Administrative Issues
Financial crises and corruption within the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) have severely impacted the team’s performance. Mismanagement of funds, political interference, and corruption have led to instability and poor decision-making at the administrative level. The recent suspension of the SLC by the ICC due to governance issues further highlights these problems. Political interference in team selection and administration has been a persistent issue. Favoritism and lack of merit-based selections have demoralized players and affected team cohesion. Corruption within the board has also led to questionable decisions and a lack of accountability. The board has played a huge in the downfall of Sri Lankan Cricket team.Â
Injuries and Player Availability
The workload management has been a central point in the downfall of the Sri Lanka Cricket team. There was not a crystal clear strategy about which players would be playing the longer formats and short formats of the cricket. Players like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Lahiru Thirimanne have missed significant matches, affecting the team’s performance.
External Factors and Conspiracies
There have been allegations of external conspiracies affecting the team’s performance, particularly during major tournaments like the World Cup. These claims, coupled with internal issues, have created a challenging environment for the players. Arjun Ranatunga has accused Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, of destroying the Sri Lankan Cricket Board.
Conclusion
The downfall of Sri Lankan cricket is a result of a combination of factors, including the retirement of key players, poor domestic structure, financial and administrative issues, political interference, lack of quality spinners, poor batting performance, injuries, and external conspiracies. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive and strategic approach to rebuild the team and restore its former glory.
By understanding and tackling these challenges, Sri Lankan cricket can hope to rise again and reclaim its place among the top cricketing nations in the world