Sangakkara quits as skipper

Team selection in World Cup final led to widespread criticism, say Sri Lankan Cricket insiders.

In a shocking decision, Kumar Sangakkara has quit as Sri Lankan skipper. The decision wasn’t unexpected, if Sri Lankan Cricket insiders are to be believed.

According to a Sri Lankan Board media release on Tuesday, Sangakkara has stepped down as Lanka’s ODI and T20 captain. He wants to quit as skipper of the Test squad too, but will continue if required. Interestingly, Sangakkara was named as the skipper of IPL team Deccan Chargers on Monday.

Sangakkara’s departure wasn’t unexpected since he faced immense criticism after Sri Lanka were humbled by India in the ICC Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai on April 2. SLC sources say Sangakkara’s decision to make four changes in the playing XI caused a storm after India won by six wickets.

The Sri Lanka captain, who was worshipped by the national media for playing a stellar role in his team’s march into the World Cup final, lost sympathy overnight after India thrashed the 1996 world champions at the Wankhede Stadium.

“He had no business to make four changes in a squad that won the quarterfinal (against England) and the semifinal (against New Zealand) comprehensively,” said the Board source, who wished not to be quoted.

He added: “Playing Suraj Randiv was the biggest mistake. Someone who was not even in the squad was playing a final against the might of an Indian batting line-up. It was a crazy decision.”

In a media statement released by the Sri Lankan Board, Sangakkara said: “I would like to announce that after careful consideration I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup in Australia.

“This was a decision I made prior to the 2011 World Cup. I will be 37 by the next World Cup and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team. It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of their career during that tournament.

“It has been a true honour and a great privilege to serve my country as captain during the past two years and, although bitterly disappointed that we could not win the final, I am very proud of the performances of the team.”

Known to take pragmatic decisions, Sangakkara’s move to make four changes clearly backfired. While Thisara Perera replaced the injured Angelo Mathews, Randiv substituted left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, a bowling allrounder, who had done well in the World Cup.

“Randiv was a bad move and apparently Sanga took this decision unilaterally. All is fine if you are winning, but this one was the World Cup final. It was too costly an error,” the SLC source said.

Sangakkara has offered to lead the side against England and Australia, incase the SLC failed to find a successor. The only man capable of leading the side is Sangakkara’s best friend and former captain, Mahela Jayawardene. But will Mahela do the job? Or it is just a passing storm?