Kumar Sangakkara to step down as captain of Sri Lanka
By Staff Writers
Kumar Sangakkara arrives at press conference in Colombo on April 5, 2011, where he said he would be stepping down as captain of Sri Lanka. AFP PHOTO/Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI.
April 5, 2011 (Island Cricket): Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has announced that he will be stepping down as captain of the Sri Lanka cricket team.
In a recent statement, 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."
The 33-year-old said that his decision to step down was made prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final loss to India.
"This was a decision I made prior to the 2011 World Cup," Sangakkara said.
"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."
Sangakkara, however, has offered to remain as captain for Sri Lanka's tour of England and Australia's tour of Sri Lanka later this year.
"I met with the selectors on Monday and I explained my reasons for my decision and I assured them of my fullest support in helping our new captain settle into the leadership," he added.
"In this regard, I have offered to continue as the Test captain for the forthcoming series with England and possibly Australia if the selectors believe this would help the new captain and aid the transition.
"I have no plans of retirement from international cricket at this stage and subject to form and fitness I would like to be considered for selection in all three formats of the game for the foreseeable future."
Under Sangakkara's captaincy, Sri Lanka have played 14 Test matches, of which Sri Lanka won five and lost three (Draw:6). In One-Day Internationals under Sangakkara, Sri Lanka have won 27 and lost 14 of their 45 ODIs.
© Island Cricket
Comments
5 April 2011
19 weeks 5 days
Sad day for our team.We salute you for your service done as captain Sanga.
20 November 2008
6 hours 50 min
I think the timing is so wrong.
9 January 2009
9 weeks 5 hours
:( :( :( :( This is soooo not good...going to be terrible for us
25 January 2010
3 weeks 2 days
Very bad,we needed him to carry on for atleast one and a half years till Mathews could be groomed as captain,we needed Sanga to guide us through the next year of change for our side :(
8 December 2010
16 hours 30 min
He should have carried on until the T20 WC next year but not surprised one bit by his decision to resign as captain.
I have a sneaky feeling he was disheartened with the interim committee, in the way they handled WC preperations.
5 April 2011
19 weeks 5 days
Timing is very wrong,with this blinder now there is an actual chance of loosing the T20 WC2012 which will be held in our own backyard.When Mahela resigned Sanga was groomed as vice captain and was ready,but now when Sanga retires I don't think anyone is ready.Instead giving VC to MJ it would've been better if it was given to Mathews.He was groomed 2 years then,but now giving it to him is a gamble.Can go both ways,can shine Mathews and at the same time it can destroy Mathews and we can loose some great talent.
3 April 2011
52 weeks 19 hours
I guess he knows what he's doing.It's in the interest of the team. I wonder who will take over?
Dear Sir,
There seems to be a great rift or politics among the players of the Sri Lankan cricket team, its officials, and the national body, which governs cricket in that country. This in my view is most unfortunate, because the morale of Sri Lankan cricket is extremely poor, after the team was defeated in the ICC World Cup final. If, this was to prevail in a One Day cricket tournament, may it be the ICC World Cup final, not Test Match cricket, which is the pinnacle of cricket, the purpose of Sri Lanka getting to the final and loosing the ICC World Cup final in the manner the team did, has had greater significance than one would have wished and expected. I suppose the whole exercise of getting to the final has had greater damage than promoting or enhancing the game of cricket in the island nation. This is my view is most unfortunate, with the uncertainty of whether the match was fixed or otherwise, as this doubt does linger in some peoples mind and heart, based on the reaction to Sri Lanka’s defeat in the ICC World Cup final. Obviously I mean Sri Lankan cricket supports in this regard.
In conclusion, I hope this situation will be resolved from an objective perspective, as far as possible. In my view, the media and press in Sri Lanka can and should try to mend fences as far as possible, rather than escalate the situation even further, which can do irreversible damage to Sri Lankan cricket and its image. Nevertheless, if anything inappropriate or incorrectly took place, or it is envisaged, a full scale investigation should be carried out by the relevant body concerned. In this regard, it is Sri Lanka Cricket or the International Cricket Council.
Yours Sincerely,
M. R. Somasunderam.
What makes you think Mathews is a better Candidate than Dilshan. He is also an all rounder. Or even Malinga. I dont see what Mathews has so great than his other teams mates unless Mathews is someone's big Pull.
15 March 2011
10 weeks 4 days
not now sanga!!!!!!!!!!! :(((((
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