Unhappy SL Sports Minister recalls Sri Lanka's ODI squad
Pollution in the national capital, is making Sri Lankan players sick but that wasn't the reason behind Sri Lankan Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara stopping 9 cricketers from travelling to India. Jayasekara is, reportedly, unhappy with the ODI squad named for the series against India and hence he has stalled the departure of his players. Here's more about this issue.
Sri Lanka's departure to India delayed
The players were scheduled to take an overnight flight from Colombo on Monday night, but were ordered to return from the airport. Minister Jayasekara was unhappy that players were allowed to leave before he had approved the squad for the series. Sri Lankan law permits the Sports Minister to change the national squad before they compete.
Cricketers who were stopped from travelling
Thisara Perera, who was recently named Sri Lanka's limited overs captain, was one of the 9 players who was ordered to return from airport. The rest include former captain Tharanga, Gunathilaka, Gunaratne, Chathuranga de Silva, Pathirana, Chameera, and Nuwan Pradeep. The remainder of the squad including Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samaraweera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews and Lakmal are already in India playing the Test series.
Struggling after the retirement of legends
Sri Lankan cricket seems to be in turmoil this year, after losing 21 ODIs out of 26 played in 2017. They have also changed their limited overs skipper thrice this year. Both Angelo Mathews and Upul Tharanga were sacked post poor performance. Ever since the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka have lost their status as a powerhouse of the sport.
Awaiting changes in the squad
Jayasekara wants at least two changes in the squad which should be finalised today. The move comes just months after the Sports Mnister ordered that the squad must pass rigorous fitness tests. Sri Lanka's three-match ODI series in India kicks off from December 10 in Dharamsala before moving on to Mohali and Vizag.
