Dinesh Chandimal appointed as Sri Lanka's Test captain; Upul Tharanga to lead team in ODIs and T20Is

[Square Drive]

Colombo: Dinesh Chandimal was named skipper of Sri Lanka's Test team on Wednesday, while fellow batsman Upul Tharanga has been tasked with leading the limited-overs squads after Angelo Mathews relinquished the captaincy across all formats on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Thilanga Sumathipala said the board had accepted Mathews' resignation following a shock one-day series defeat by Zimbabwe, which the all-rounder described as one of the lowest points of his career.

"As a captain, I can't turn a blind eye to the failure of the team in the past several months," Mathews told a news conference where the new captains were named, referring to the team's struggles since the 2015 World Cup.

"There is sufficient time for Sri Lanka Cricket to choose a captain and prepare the team for the 2019 World Cup in England.

"I wanted to take this decision sometimes back. But I had to stay because of the team. Now Upul and Dinesh are capable of carrying the duty."

Sri Lanka's new captains have little time to adjust to their roles as the side hosts neighbours India in a full series from 26 July, featuring three tests, five one-day internationals and a one-off Twenty20 match.

The 1996 world champions, currently ranked seventh in Tests and eighth in one-dayers, are also vying with West Indies for the last available automatic place in the 2019 World Cup.

Chandimal said he looked forward to receiving guidance from Mathews as he begins his tenure against World No 1 India.

"I thank Angelo for leading the team and it is not an easy task," the 27-year-old said.

"We have lots of ups and down in the last two years, but we have a lot of talented young and senior players in the team. I am happy about being entrusted (with) this post. I am going to put my heart and soul to put the team in the right position," Chandimal added.

http://www.firstpost.com/sports/din...a-to-lead-team-in-odis-and-t20is-3803787.html

 

[Square Drive]

Good to give Chandi some responsibility.

Not sure about appointing Tharanga as captain at 32... could be a short-term fix though, until the end of the 2019 WC, before Chandimal (depending on how he fares in Tests) or Mendis, or maybe someone like Dickwella can take over.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Dickwella should have been given T20 captaincy,so that he gains enough experience by the time the T20 WC comes around.Then,if successful,he could have been made ODI captain too.

 

[Ellipsism]

A PCB-esque move by appointing a player who shouldn't even be in the team captain- all in the name of experience.

 

[Ahson8]

A PCB-esque move by appointing a player who shouldn't even be in the team captain- all in the name of experience.

Chandimal or Tharanga ?

 

[Ellipsism]

Chandimal or Tharanga ?

Tharanga.

 

[ads101]

Tharanga.

Problem is Tharanga has given far more chances than Misbah did before his captaincy. Has had over 200 ODIs under his belt, with a truly average record, worse over the last five years or so. While Misbah you could argue it's more that he wasn't a regular/given enough chances in the past. His domestic record is pretty average too unlike Misbah's.

Think it's the right decision though Sri Lanka needs someone with experience captaining and knows how to captain. Just picking the best player and hoping he'll learn captaincy i.e. Matthews didn't work (and often doesn't work).

I would have made Tharanga test captain too. Chandimal has to worry about trying to fulfil his talent, he's been rather mediocre for someone with as much promise as him. I would have had chandimal just as vice captain.

 

[Sherlock]

...and it continues.

 

[Ahson8]

Tharanga.

He's done well last two years though.

44 @ 83 since 2016
54 @ 93 since the beginning of 2017.

His age is against him but not the worst move to make him captain considering his form. I think they should appoint Kusal Mendis his deputy so that he can take over after the 2019 WC

 

[Hasan123]

Chandimal should have bee made captain in Odis as well. Tharanga is 32, he's not really a long term opition for capatincy and his place in the team isn't even certain.

 

[shaz619]

...and it continues.

)

Pretty much

 

[Ahson8]

Chandimal should have bee made captain in Odis as well. Tharanga is 32, he's not really a long term opition for capatincy and his place in the team isn't even certain.

Chandimal is a terrible ODI player. There's a reason he was dropped from the ODI team vs Zimbabwe. Tharanga is a far better player than him in ODIs

 

[kaifmazhar]

Just what I said 2 days back. Matthews should resign on his own and Chandimal to be made captain and a role for Tharnga.
Right decisions made for SL future.

 

[SL_Fan]

At least got something positive out of the Zimbabwe series I guess. Chandi worth a shot in Tests but not sure about UT tho. For starters I don't think he should even be in the LOI sides once Kusal Perera comes back from injury. Still a better option than Mathews however. Having said all that it's going to take much more than a change of captains to get out of this mess.

 

[A.A.Z]

Dinesh Chandimal ruled out of first Test against India with pneumonia, Rangana Herath named captain.