Malinga’s leadership under scrutiny
Lasith Malinga’s own performance with the ball may have significantly improved since his return to the side following a long injury lay-off last year, but his performance as skipper of the national side is under scrutiny following a horrendous record as T20 captain.
Malinga – the T20 specialist has led Sri Lanka in 10 internationals during the last 12 months but has managed just one win – a stat that the selectors are seriously looking at with the World T20 tournament just around the corner.
The World T20 tournament will be held in Australia in October 2020.
The sling-arm bowler will lead Sri Lanka in the three-match T20 series against India starting on January 5 and the results against the mighty Indians will define his future as skipper.
Malinga remains an automatic choice as country’s main strike bowler, having taken 14 wickets at 17.92 in his last ten outings including a career best 5 for 6 against New Zealand last year, but his own performances has had little impact on team’s overall performance. Sri Lanka has conceded four series losses during Malinga’s captaincy.
Sri Lanka axed Malinga as ODI skipper ahead of last year’s World Cup as the selectors wanted “somebody who can get the team together” but retained him for the shortest format given his wide experience having played in many leagues around the world.
The Sri Lankan team has been driven with personality clashes and disciplinary troubles in recent years and were struggling with “a lot of issues inside”.
Meanwhile Angelo Mathews, who missed Sri Lanka’s T20 series in Australia, has been recalled for the Indian series. Mathews, the batting all-rounder, hasn’t played T20s since his last outing against South Africa in August 2018.
Likely squad: Lasith Malinga (captain), Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana.