With Pallekele drubbing on Friday, Under Lasith Malinga’s captaincy Sri Lanka has now lost 13 T20Is out of 14 since December 2018. Moreover, yesterday’s loss was 7th straight defeat in shortest format for Sri Lanka under Malinga’s leadership. The team that whitewashed world’s number one T20 team Pakistan just few months ago, has once again lost it’s plot under Malinga’s captaincy.
To make things worse, Malinga’s own bowling form has been patchy of late. On Friday, West Indies opener Brandon King and big hitting all rounder Andre Russell clobbered Malinga for consecutive sixes, as the veteran bowler gave away 46 runs in 3 overs. He was both expensive and largely toothless in the first T20I as well, giving away 37 runs for just one wicket in his four over quota. After Friday debacle, Sri Lanka cricket fans hooted at Malinga during the presentation ceremony. The message was loud and clear: Malinga needs to go now!
Malinga, however, has refused to accept that the burden of captaincy is affecting his performance. In the press conference after second T20I Yesterday, Malinga emphasized that he tried his best both as a captain and bowler.
“In both the games, I tried my best. Also, captaincy is not affecting me” Malinga told reporters after Friday’s drubbing.
Malinga is still optimistic about team’s performance in the remaining 12 games before the T20 world cup in Australia later in the year.
“I think this surface we needed more runs. 150 is enough to fight with on a slow pitch, but Wanindu’s (Hasarnga’s) injury hurt us. We needed early wickets defending 155, we didn’t get those. I feel bowling is not on top because we are not picking up many wickets. In the next 12 games we need to find consistency and confidence. Definitely (fielding has improved), players and support staff putting in a lot of effort and that’s why there is improvement” an optimistic Lasith Malinga said during the post match presentation.
