ICC World Cup 2019: Kumar Sangakkara Sets High Hopes on Dimuth Karunaratne
May 24, 2019 at 12:06 PM
Since 2017, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has faced tumultuous times owing to their cricketing geography. The chaotic phase has further witnessed the overhauling of the selection committee. To add more to it, the change in leadership frequently has also addressed how the Island cricket has struggled following the retirement of veterans like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Now, Dimuth Karunaratne is leading the team in a bid to inspire many during the impending ICC World Cup 2019.
Besides, the much-awaited round-robin event will commence from May 30 at the Kennington Oval in London.
Sangakkara backs Karunaratne:
Amid all the surprises Dinesh Chandimal faced axe which subsequently saw things falling apart in between. Over the years, Chandimal has been an asset for the Lions.
“It’s been quite chaotic. Both in terms of continuity in selection. And giving players a very good, consistent run in the team, which is essential for confidence,” Sangakkara added.
Sangakkara, who himself has been part of two World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011 respectively, believes the chopping and changes mean miseries pile up which further mired into qualms.
“If it’s a constant change and churn, where you’re always looking over your shoulder trying to safeguard your position, rather than trying to execute team strategy, I think that becomes a big problem,” Sangakkara said.
Meanwhile, ace wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara is optimistic that Karunaratne will do well in the forthcoming mega ICC event.
Sangakkara hails the 31-year-old Karunaratne for his show while donning the whites. He further sees a responsible player in him.
“Dimuth Karunaratne is a very capable player. He is technically very sound. He has been very successful in Test cricket over the last two years,” Sangakkara further said.
Earlier, the decision of naming Karunaratne as a skipper has baffled one and all, but Sangakkara believes the compact character has enough in store to prove his mettle.
Karunaratne is an ideal choice: Sangakkara
The former Lankan skipper Sangakkara believes Karunaratne as a captain is a perfect choice. He maintained this would help Lankan cause in the United Kingdom (UK)
“With Karunaratne coming in now as a fresh face and fresh captain, it could actually help the team. He doesn’t come in with the baggage of being part of a set-up that for the last two-and-a-half years have had a lot of issues. [Karunaratne] won’t have partisanship in terms of how he wants to play or who he wants in the side,” Sangakkara ellaborated.
The southpaw believes Karunartane could anchor the innings and bail out his team at crucial stages of the game.
“With two new balls (in use in ODIs), the ability of someone to anchor the innings, to bat through a long period, is going to be very important,” Sangakkara inferred.
The Lankans will kick-off their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 1st in Cardiff.