Chief Selector questions Malingas performances against India
Given Lasith Malingas awful recent record against India, questions have been asked whether Sri Lanka should consider leaving out their main strike bowler in clashes against them. While theres no serious thought has been given for such a move, given Sri Lankas disappointing outings against the Indians in the last few years, the tough question has been hotly debated.
Responding to a Sunday Island query yesterday, Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya admitted that there are question marks regarding Malinga when it comes to his performance against India.
"There is a question mark with regard to his performance against India and he will have to improve on his record against them," said Jayasuriya, who in his prime terrified Indian bowlers with his adventurous batting and even ended the career of Manoj Prabhakar.
"Everyone is talking about Lasiths bowling against India and the Indians seem to have an edge in playing him as they have played him often," Jayasuriya added.
In recent times, Indian batsman Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina have claimed that since they played Malinga regularly in the IPL, he is no longer a threat to them.
Malinga quit playing Test cricket in 2011, but he is a popular choice for T-20 cricket in domestic tournaments in India, Australia, South Africa, England and New Zealand.
The Indians have given several heartbreaks for Sri Lankan fans that include defeat in the 2011 ICC World Cup finals in Bombay and the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in Wales. Into the bargain, Sri Lanka also have lost several tri-nation competitions to the Indians including Thursdays final in Trinidad.
Malinga has been a terrific performer for Sri Lanka, but his record against the Indians is awful. While his career bowling average in ODIs is 26:58 in 148 ODIs, against India he averages a pathetic 41:86 in 32 games. This year, against India he has been even below par having managed just three wickets in four ODIs at a disappointing average of 53.
"More than Malinga or anything, I am just disappointed with the way we batted in the final. Over and over again the two senior players are doing the job for us and the youngsters arent contributing as much as we want. The young players need to take resposnbility," Jayasuriya went onto add.
Sri Lanka were progressing smoothly in the final after being put into bat having reached 171 for two in 38 overs and collapsed to be bowled out for 201 losing their last eight wickets for 20 runs.
Jayasuriya also questioned the wisdom of giving the last over to the less experienced Shaminda Eranga. India required 15 runs off the last over and after missing out on the first delivery, Indian cpatian M.S. Dhoni smashed 6,4 and 6 off the next three deliveries to help India win with one wicket and two deliveries to spare
"I cant understand why they didnt use someone with experience for the last over. Shaminda Eranga is not experienced enough to handle a situation like that, especially against someone like Dhoni. They probably tried to finish it off before the last over, but I think someone else with more experience should have been entrusted with the last over," Jayasuriya added.
Given Lasith Malingas awful recent record against India, questions have been asked whether Sri Lanka should consider leaving out their main strike bowler in clashes against them. While theres no serious thought has been given for such a move, given Sri Lankas disappointing outings against the Indians in the last few years, the tough question has been hotly debated.
Responding to a Sunday Island query yesterday, Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya admitted that there are question marks regarding Malinga when it comes to his performance against India.
"There is a question mark with regard to his performance against India and he will have to improve on his record against them," said Jayasuriya, who in his prime terrified Indian bowlers with his adventurous batting and even ended the career of Manoj Prabhakar.
"Everyone is talking about Lasiths bowling against India and the Indians seem to have an edge in playing him as they have played him often," Jayasuriya added.
In recent times, Indian batsman Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina have claimed that since they played Malinga regularly in the IPL, he is no longer a threat to them.
Malinga quit playing Test cricket in 2011, but he is a popular choice for T-20 cricket in domestic tournaments in India, Australia, South Africa, England and New Zealand.
The Indians have given several heartbreaks for Sri Lankan fans that include defeat in the 2011 ICC World Cup finals in Bombay and the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in Wales. Into the bargain, Sri Lanka also have lost several tri-nation competitions to the Indians including Thursdays final in Trinidad.
Malinga has been a terrific performer for Sri Lanka, but his record against the Indians is awful. While his career bowling average in ODIs is 26:58 in 148 ODIs, against India he averages a pathetic 41:86 in 32 games. This year, against India he has been even below par having managed just three wickets in four ODIs at a disappointing average of 53.
"More than Malinga or anything, I am just disappointed with the way we batted in the final. Over and over again the two senior players are doing the job for us and the youngsters arent contributing as much as we want. The young players need to take resposnbility," Jayasuriya went onto add.
Sri Lanka were progressing smoothly in the final after being put into bat having reached 171 for two in 38 overs and collapsed to be bowled out for 201 losing their last eight wickets for 20 runs.
Jayasuriya also questioned the wisdom of giving the last over to the less experienced Shaminda Eranga. India required 15 runs off the last over and after missing out on the first delivery, Indian cpatian M.S. Dhoni smashed 6,4 and 6 off the next three deliveries to help India win with one wicket and two deliveries to spare
"I cant understand why they didnt use someone with experience for the last over. Shaminda Eranga is not experienced enough to handle a situation like that, especially against someone like Dhoni. They probably tried to finish it off before the last over, but I think someone else with more experience should have been entrusted with the last over," Jayasuriya added.