Sports

KJP and Dimuth different styles, contrasting leaders

Published

5 years ago

2021/05/11

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dimuth’s successor is Kusal Janith Perera, one of the finest batsmen that we have.

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka’s selectors have been ruthless axing as many as six seniors for the upcoming tours of Bangladesh and United Kingdom where they will play T-20 and ODI series. The national cricket team in limited overs cricket in particular has been struggling to make an impact in the last four years. Already forced to play the qualifying tournament of the T-20 World Cup, Sri Lanka is in the borderline in the limited overs championship as well and unless they get the house in order, they will have to qualify for the 50 over World Cup as well in 2023.

In recent times it has been proven that there are young talents good enough to take up the challenges of international cricket and throwing them to the deep end needs to be appreciated. But at the same time rather than doing as many as six changes, you wonder whether there should have been smooth transition rather than total changes.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne has got the sack. Now, there was one reason for Dimuth to be appointed ODI captain in 2019, just before the World Cup. The team was in tatters and there was rampant infighting. Dimuth was chosen to lead the side despite not having played in an ODI for more than four years.

It worked as Dimuth was able to bring the side together and into the bargain sorted one of the major issues the team’s batting unit was facing. This was a time that Sri Lanka were getting bowled out without utilizing their 50 overs. With the captain occupying one end up, Sri Lanka were able to sort that problem. The 97 he scored against the Aussies at The Oval was a class act playing against a formidable pace attack.

He’s been in superb form as well having accumulated 427 runs in three innings against Bangladesh in the just concluded Test series that included a double hundred, hundred and a half-century.

Dimuth’s successor is Kusal Janith Perera, one of the finest batsmen that we have. His seniority, him able to own a place in the side and fearless approach all stand in good stead for him. However, looking at KJP from a distance, he gives you the impression that he is an introvert. When such a person is given the additional responsibility that’s going to only affect his game. Brian Lara is a classic example. Fabulous player but utter failure as captain.

KJP also had failed a fitness test that would have made him ineligible for the tour of West Indies. But before the final selection was done he was injured. It remains unclear whether KJP has passed the fitness test or he has been given an exception.

Another player who probably deserved to be in the side was Nuwan Pradeep. Used only for limited over games in recent times, Pradeep has done a decent job both bowling at a good pace and remaining economical. Pradeep has lot more to offer for the team.

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Sports

Cape Verde break record as smallest nation to reach World Cup knockouts

Published

7 hours ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Cape Verde coach Pedro Brito celebrates after his side qualifed for the knockout stages of the World Cup [Aljazeera]

Tiny Cape Verde have become the history makers of World Cup 2026 by defying all odds to become the smallest country to earn a spot in the knockout stages of the competition.

Their improbable run through the group stage, with a third straight World Cup draw, was completed with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia on Friday night to advance in the tournament.

Keeping goal for Cape Verde throughout has been Vozinha, 40, who has embodied the grit of his nation. “We are small, but we have big hearts and we are fighters,” said the goalkeeper, who last season played for Chaves in Portugal’s second tier.

The island nation off the western coast of Africa, which is making its debut on football’s grandest stage, already held 2010 champion Spain to a 0-0 draw – a shock in itself to begin their campaign.

They then came from behind to get a 2-2 result against Uruguay – the winners of the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

“The team was very eager to show this to the whole world,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said while draped in his country’s flag after the Saudi Arabia game.

“We are proud of having arrived at this stage. We have shown that we are a small country, but that we fight for the things that we want to achieve.”

Cape Verde’s three points put the team in second place behind Spain, which beat Uruguay on Friday night and won the group.

Cape Verde will play reigning World Cup champion Argentina in Miami on July 3.

[Aljazeera]

Latest News

India A stretch lead to 170 after Sai Sudharsan retires hurt

Published

7 hours ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Auqib Nabi bagged four wickets [SLC]

India suffered a potential injury scare ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka, with their No.3 B Sai Sudarshan retiring hurt on 7 while playing for India A against Sri Lanka A during the third day of the first four-dayer in Galle. After scoring a century in the first innings, Sai Sudharsan retired hurt in the fourth over of India A’s second innings. By the end of the day’s play, however, India A had stretched their lead to 170.

Chhattisgarh opener Aayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten on 20 each at stumps.

India A had claimed a first-innings lead of 122 after dismissing Sri Lanka A for 330 in their first innings. Resuming from an overnight 113 for 2, they were guided by half-centuries from captain Sahan Arachchige (72) and Ashen Bandara (70). Nuwandi Fernando, who had passed his own fifty on day two, had his innings cut short on 84 on day three.

For India A, Auqib Nabi, who was the top wicket taker in the previous Ranji Trophy season and was a net bowler during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, was the pick of the bowlers, returning 4 for 58 in 19.4 overs. Sri Lanka A lost their last five wickets for 30 runs, with Nabi taking four of those.

Left-arm fingerspin-bowling allrounder Harsh Dubey and Vidarbha fast bowler Yash Thakur picked up two wickets apiece. India A then closed out the day on 48 for 0.

Scores:
India A 48 for 0 in 17 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 20*, Ayush Pandey 20*) and 452 for 6 dec in 111.4 overs [Sai Sudarshan 132, Dhruv Jurel 141, Shaik Rasheed 63; Chamika Gunasekera 3-64, Dilum Sudeera 2-143] lead Sri Lanka A 330 in 101.4 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 84, Ashen Bandara 70, Sahan Arachchige 72; Aaqib Nabi 4-58, YashThakur 2-51, Harsh Dubey 2-84) by 170 runs

[Cricinfo]

Latest News

T20 World Cup: Scotland miss out as eight teams secure automatic spots for 2028

Published

7 hours ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Sri Lanka's win against Scotland completed the group of eight teams [Cricinfo]

Teams that finished in the top four of each group at the ongoing T20 World Cup have secured their spots for the next edition of the tournament in 2028. From Group 1, Australia, India, South Africa and Bangladesh have qualified. England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka join them from Group 2. Pakistan qualified as a result of being the tournament hosts; they finished fifth in the Group 2 table with just one win in five games.

Scotland missed out on a chance to directly qualify for the 12-team ICC event after losing to Sri Lanka on Friday.

The 10th spot will go to the next highest-ranked team on the T20I rankings table at the July 6, 2026 cut-off. As it stands, Ireland, ranked ninth, fill that spot. The remaining two places will be determined through a 10-team global qualifier, which will be supported by regional qualifiers.

Netherlands, ranked 14th, are likely to have to play in the qualifier to make the main event. So too Scotland (11th) and Ireland (9th) if they fall too far down the table.

The ICC also made a decision on the composition of teams at the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, to be held next year in Sri Lanka. The hosts will be joined by the top five teams on the T20I rankings at the same July 6 cut-off. As it stands, the teams at the tournament will be Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa.

[Cricinfo]