Can Sri Lanka erase the nightmares of the past? India will look to inflict more pain. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
After a colourful and successful completion of the Lanka Premier League, (LPL), battle lines are drawn for the much anticipated T20 and One-dayers against the might of India which is being staged in Sri Lanka.
The Indians arrived in the Island hot favourites to repeat the humiliation they inflicted over the hosts when they last met. But there is growing belief among the beleaguered Lankans that they are up to the fight this time around.
A reshuffled Lankan team under the captaincy of Charith Asalanka and a new directional input from new administrators under former Sri Lanka opening batter Upul Tharanga ushers in with it, optimism and a hope of a turnaround of their dwindling fortunes.
The resignation of English coach Chris Silverwood after a disastrous T20 World Cup has thrown a spanner in the works making Sri Lanka’s administrators appoint former Chief selector and batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya back into the limelight as stand -in coach for this series.
Whether Jayasuriya can fill the big boots of Silverwood will be much debated until the end of this series which will undoubtedly be an acid test going forward. Jayasuriya’s CV doesn’t stack up after his past involvement, so the microscope will hang over his every decision.
Upto now, Sri Lanka has had little success with local coaches, mainly due to political and outside influences that derail the course they are meant to be on. Self interest been the bane of a nation rich in cricketing history despite being given world recognition only in 1982.
They have gained tremendous respect since then, winning two World Cups and making several finals. But the past few years have seen them plummet to the depths they haven’t been in since their infancy. Logic certainly questions what’s behind it. Fame or fortune, or both?.
Right now, the selection of the current squad raises questions and eyebrows about its composition and who has been overlooked. It’s been the pardox and reason for the country’s decline and loss of proper focus.
While focussing on negatives does little to improve the situation, as does to presume the worst case scenarios, there is undoubted evidence that there is no shortage of talent in the country.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke who was part of the LPL just concluded, was all praise for the abundance of talent among the youngsters on show. He stressed that Sri Lanka cricket was in “good hands”.
His assessment, although broadly aimed at the fantastic organisation of a great LPL tournament, needs to be backed up with a similar structure, mindset and strategy that Australia employs, where non interference and pride to represent the country is paramount.
That for Sri Lanka’s mens cricketers appears to be lost at the moment.
If Sri Lanka hope to beat a team that exudes confidence and mental superiority they have to produce the unthinkable.
An X factor like Mutthiah Muralitharan or Ajantha Mendis who bamboozled the world’s best batters is one way. But we all know what happened to Mendis after he was lured to the IPL so the Indians could unravel his mysteries. His gain was ultimately monetary much like several others, falling into the Indian cash trap that continues to date.
In fairness India cannot be blamed for their calculated venture that has paid dividends in terms of their world standing. And they back it up by protecting their gain by looking after their brood.
You don’t see many Indians in franchises around the world in their own domestic Premier Leagues. Or maybe it’s just because they scoff at the prize money on offer compared to the IPL?
Muralitharan among a few others escaped that era to become the best of his craft in the game.
India for their part, will be keen to find out how they perform under new T20 skipper Suriyakumar Yadav after former captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kholi defected to Tests and one-dayers only.
This will not only test their strength under new direction, that’s including new coach Gautam Gambihr who was handed the reins after Rahul Dravid stepped aside. It is not expected to affect them aversely with the abundance of fantastic talent in the country.
It all points to a riveting series where from a Sri Lankan perspective they get to benchmark whether they have progressed.
The future of Sri Lanka cricket is at the crossroads right now, so the nightmare of Dasun Shanaka’s team that were mercilessly thrashed in their last two encounters will need remedying.
