Mike Hussey, the batting coach of Chennai Super Kings, has tested positive for Covid19 and will have to stay back in India longer than his compatriots and other overseas participants of the postponed IPL 2021 season.
Mike Hussey tests Positive for COVID19
The 45-year-old former Australian cricketer is among three members from the CSK camp to have been infected by the virus. CSK bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji and a bus cleaner also tested positive for COVID19.
“We’ve spoken to Mike today. He is in good spirits,” Todd Greenberg, the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, said. “His symptoms are relatively mild. He is in a stint of isolation in his hotel room…he has good support systems around him.”
Cricket Australia’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley on Wednesday said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is working to arrange a charter flight for the Australian contingent, who are likely to stay in the Maldives or Sri Lanka before heading back home because of a travel ban on the Covid-19-hit India.
The nearly 40-strong Australian contingent, comprising players, support staff, and commentators, were in the country for the Indian Premier League and could be flown to the Maldives or Sri Lanka before getting a connecting flight for home.
Hussey is the 7th person associated with the tournament to have contracted the virus during IPL 2021.
Apart from the Super Kings, there have been positive tests from at least three other franchises. From the Kolkata Knight Riders, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and seam bowler Sandeep Warrier tested positive, forcing their match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 3 to be rescheduled.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha and the Delhi Capitals’ legspinner Amit Mishra also tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.
BCCI decides to postpone the IPL 2021 owing to the spike in COVID19 cases inside the bio bubble. Players were quarantined before entering the bio bubble and isolated from being in contact with the outside world.
Though BCCI followed strict protocols some of the IPL 2021 participants were tested positive for the COVID19. A first, KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive which forces the postponement of their game against RCB.
All at once, CSK announced that three of their non-playing members were tested positive for the same. Though they again announced that they were tested negative the team enters into one-week isolation. This made the situation even worse.
BCCI came to the decision of postponing the IPL 2021 when SRH wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha and DC’ Amit Mishra also tests positive for COVID19.
Possible Reasons for COVID19 breach in IPL 2021
Though BCCI prepared strict protocols for the IPL 2021 they too leave some loopholes in their “Standard Operation Procedures”. Following are the list of possible ways for COVID19 breaching in IPL 2021 bio secure bubble.
Random Hotels
Hotels were booked randomly instead of being in closer proximity to stadiums. One franchise stayed in a hotel based inside a mall. Hotels weren’t kept reserved for later use. At some hotels, the BCCI is unsure if staff were quarantined for a mandatory 14 days.
Training Session
Ground staff wasn’t put inside a bio-bubble as several from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai turned positive. On occasions, both franchises came to the ground to train at the same time.
Fault in Match Schedule
Matches were scheduled in multiple cities despite spectators not being allowed to “negate home advantage”. In the IPL, crowds alone are considered a home advantage. Scheduling the IPL in a single city would have worked better.
No Central Bubble
Unlike the 2020 edition in UAE, BCCI did not hire an IT and safety company once again to build a central bubble. The board hired the services of a hospital and a testing laboratory.
Notably, BCCI moves the IPL 2020 to UAE owing to the COVID19 pandemic at that situation. Not like IPL 2021, UAE hosts all the matches without even a single positive case inside the bio bubble.
Faulty GPS Tracking
Franchises are complaining of a faulty GPS tracking system where the FOBS handed over to individuals were ‘sub-standard’.
Transportation
The majority of the cases were emerged during or after travel. Tarmac to tarmac flights were not arranged.
Hostel Staff Wasn’t Quarantined
In certain hotels. staff did not undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine before check-ins. The mandatory seven-day quarantine protocol was read incorrectly.
No Education Programs
There was no education program set up, except the handing over of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Crew Bubble Hassle
Broadcast crew and commentators, having to travel on an emergency basis, were left with no choice but to fly economy. Broadcasters were left to create their own separate bubble.
Though BCCI has not yet finalized the reschedule of the remaining matches IPL chairman claims that BCCI may reschedule IPL 2021 around the ICC T20WC 2021.
Earlier BCCI has arranged a well-developed biosecure bubble to host the IPL 2021 matches. Somehow the players and staff were tested COVID19 positive in the mid of the league which forces the BCCI to shut down the ongoing tournament.
As overseas players start to move to their home country staging the remaining matches of IPL 2021 seems to be impossible for the next couple of months. Keeping this in mind BCCI plans to continue the league somewhere around the ICC T20 WC.
Brijesh Patel IPL 2021 Resume Date
In an exclusive chat with news18 from his home in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the 68-year-old gave a glimpse on IPL 2021 resume date. Following is the Excerpts of his chat with News18.
How tough was it to take the decision to indefinitely postpone?
It’s always a tough decision to suspend a tournament like the IPL. But, four teams were involved and some players included. One player in Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and one support staff from Chennai Super Kings tested positive.
It was not possible to reschedule the matches with four teams involved. Looking at the overall situation also in India, what we thought best was to suspend it and have the matches later.
When are you looking at conducting them?
The remaining 31 matches will be completed whenever we can. So, matches will resume from where we left this year. We have to look at a window, before the ICC T20 World Cup or after the World Cup (October-November 2021).
What were the options you considered before deciding on the suspension?
Just to reschedule some of the matches. If two teams were involved (testing positive), it was okay, possible to reschedule matches. But, with four teams involved, and we were not sure if there wouldn’t be further cases.
Just for the safety of everyone – the players, the support staff, the commentators, all the stakeholders – it was decided that it was better to suspend IPL.
How much pressure was on the BCCI to suspend IPL? There were calls from all corners saying how could IPL be held when people were dying and suffering in the country?
There was no pressure on BCCI to suspend IPL. The public opinion was such that those watching IPL and asking them what about it, everyone was saying ‘it was very good for us. The whole day, 24×7 we are only watching all Covid-related news and developments.
At least for these three-four hours, there is some entertainment through IPL. Anyway, you have asked us to stay at home.
At least these three-four hours, people get their minds diverted. Also, the main important thing is that we are not super spreaders. It is not like we were having melas and rallies. IPL is not a super spreader of the virus.
Everyone thinks bio-bubble is safe. Some say they feel safer in the bubble than even at home. But, how did Varun Chakravarthy, Sandeep Warrier (both KKR), L Balaji (CSK), Wriddhiman Saha (SRH) or Amit Mishra (DC) get it?
I don’t know. Earlier, during Covid-I, it was said that if you don’t maintain social distance or not wear a mask, the virus would spread. If you maintained social distancing, that was ok. But now, Covid-II is spreading through the air. We don’t know how these boys have got it. Otherwise, the bubble is pretty good and safe. We will look into it as to how they got it.
How tough was it for BCCI to create a bio-bubble in India?
It is not that we have not done it. We did it in Dubai successfully late last year. One thing in Dubai was that we did not have to travel by air. It was by road only between Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. Here, we had to travel to other centers by air.
Was there a breach in bio-bubble protocols with Chakravarthy going to the hospital for a scan? Should he not have been isolated after it? What exactly happened?
He went for a scan. We don’t know if he got it there. Many of the scan centres are spreaders. We will look into what he did, where he got it.
What was the mind-set of the players under the circumstances?
Players were also concerned. If someone gets Covid, they also get worried, don’t they? Till then, they were playing well.
Was there pressure on the players, especially the big names, to stay when some others like Andrew Tye and Adam Zampa left for home?
The players were focused. You have been seeing the matches. The Australian government will open flights from India.
What steps are being taken to ensure the smooth return of all the players?
We will see what needs to be done. Whatever help is required from the BCCI, we will extend.
What happens to those who have tested positive? They cannot be sent home immediately, right?
Let’s see what it is. Each franchise has got its own rules.
How do you look at the whole scenario?
The situation is such that you never know what is in store in these circumstances. We did not expect Covid-II to spread so fast. You are also sitting at home and trying to be safe, right?
Pat Cummins Cancels PM CARES Donation & Contributes To UNICEF
Australian ace pacer Pat Cummins issued a clarification from his official Twitter handle that he had decided to make his donation of $50,000 to UNICEF Australia’s India COVID19 Crisis Appeal instead of to PM care fund.
Change in Pat Cummins COVID19 Donation
“There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue while COVID-19 infection rates remain high,”
Cummins wrote. “I’m advised that the Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country.”
“As players, we are privileged to have a platform that allows us to reach millions of people that we can use for good. With that in mind, I have made a contribution to the ‘PM Cares Fund,’ specifically to purchase oxygen supplies for India’s hospitals.”
“I encourage my fellow IPL players – and anyone around else the world who has been touched by India’s passion and generosity – to contribute. I will kick it off with $50,000,” he wrote.
“At times like this it is easy to feel helpless. I’ve certainly felt that of late. But I hope by making this public appeal we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into people’s lives. I know my donation isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it will make a difference to someone.”
Australian Cricket will throw its support behind the India COVID-19 Crisis Appeal by partnering with the @ACA_Players and @unicefaustralia to raise much needed funds.
Last month, the 27-year-old had become a beacon of hope, a catalyst for international cricketers and other celebrities to start donating towards India’s battle against the ruthless second wave of the coronavirus in the country when he informed his fans about his donation.
In the tweet, Cummins had mentioned that he had made his contribution towards the PM CARES program and had urged more and more people to do the same.
Bangladesh players Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman might have to return to their country from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 sooner than planned.
Shakib Al Hasan & Mustafizur Rahman set to leave Early
The development comes due to the quarantine rule imposed by the Bangladesh health ministry, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the Bangladesh Cricket Board chief said on Monday.
The new quarantine rule by the Bangladesh health ministry, which came into effect from May 1, states that travelers coming from India and South Africa will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period before resuming work. BCB will need special permission from the Directorate General of Health Services to avail any relaxation on the new rule.
Mustafizur Rahman
The statements from the BCB chief comes days after the two IPL stars were included in Bangladesh’s preliminary squad for Sri Lanka ODIs which is likely to begin from May 23, the same day that IPL’s league stage ends. IPL 2021 final is scheduled to be played on May 30.
“We have asked them (Shakib and Mustafizur) to let us know what is their plan for the next 15 days while we have also asked the health ministry to know what kind of quarantine protocol the two players will need to follow,” BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told Cricbuzz on Monday.
“If the health ministry suggests that they will have to follow seven or 14 days quarantine, they will have to return earlier than scheduled from IPL. But before that, we have to know what rules will be in place for them. We are bound by the Bangladesh Government rules, and will take decisions according to the guideline provided by the government,”he added.
Earlier, BCB had reduced the quarantine for their foreign coaching staff and cricketers but the scale of the second COVID-19 wave reduces the chances of the same happening this time.
Senior batsman Mohammad Hafeez will be offered a new central contract in a higher category after he refused to accept a short-term contract some months back from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
New Contract for Mohammad Hafeez
The 40-year-old Muhammad Hafeez was dropped from the list of centrally contracted players last year in May along with Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Amir but after he performed well the PCB was forced to offer him a short-term contract earlier this year.
However, Hafeez didn’t accept the offer as he was not happy at being offered a spot in category C.
According to a reliable PCB source, Hafeez is the only senior player who will be given the new central contract from July 1 while chances of other seniors like Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, and Haris Sohail getting contracts is very slim.
Shoaib Malik
“The cricket committee of the PCB will be meeting with the head coach, coaches, and captain of the national team when it returns from Zimbabwe after which the chief selector will sit down with the management and PCB CEO and finalize the list of players to be given the new central contracts,” the source said.
The existing contracts end in June and the source said that due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation the board is also considering giving players some financial rewards in their contracts for spending long periods in the bio-secure bubbles at home and on away tours.
“Hafeez is likely to be offered a new contract in an enhanced category while senior batsman and former captain, Azhar Ali is likely to be demoted from category A to B as he is now playing just one format,” he added.
The source said that the PCB was considering giving some of the consistent performers like Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf new enhanced contracts from July, while some players like Usman Shinwari, Iftikhar Ahmed etc may lose their contracts in the new list.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan who has been Pakistan’s leading batsman in all formats in recent times is likely to be retained in category A.
“Rizwan was initially named in category B of the contracts last year but earlier this year the board gave him a promotion because of his form and he will be retained in category A,” he said.
In-form batsman Fawad Alam, who has scored three centuries since his comeback to the Pakistan team last year in July, was also not part of the central contracts for 2020/21 but was later included in category C at same time when Rizwan was given the promotion.
“Fawad will get a promotion to category B in new contracts because of his superb performances as will opener Fakhar Zaman who is also presently in category C.”
In May last year, the PCB had announced central contracts in three categories for 18 players, while three cricketers — Haider Ali, Haris Rauf and Muhammad Hasnain — were named in the emerging players category.
The PCB pays players monthly retainers ranging from 1.1 million to Rs 500,000 besides their match fees and bonuses. Players who don’t get central contracts are paid match fees and bonuses for their appearances but don’t get the monthly retainers.
The source said the PCB might also consider enhancing match fees of those players who are now only playing Test matches like Azhar, Fawad, Shan Masood, Muhammad Abbas, etc.
The PCB last year had also announced a comprehensive pay structure for domestic players which is as below.
The 2020-21 and enhanced monthly retainer structure
Category A+ = 10 players, PKR 150,000 per month (66k INR)
Category A = 38 players, PKR 85,000 per month (37K INR)
Category B = 48 players, PKR 75,000 per month (33k INR)
Category C = 72 players, PKR 65,000 per month (28k INR)
Category D = 24 players, PKR 40,000 per month (17.5k INR).
Indian Premier League(IPL) 2021 Postponed after multiple COVID-19 cases in its bio-bubble: League chairman Brijesh Patel to PTI.
IPL 2021 Postponed
Earlier couple of Kolkata Knight Riders players has been tested positive for the COVID19. Due to which the KKR vs RCB match has been postponed which is scheduled to play on May 2, 2021.
Soon after the KKR update, CSK announced that their three non-playing members were tested positive for the COVID19 which starts to question over the biosecure condition. As a result, CSK and KKR along with DC were quarantined.
UPDATE: The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season with immediate effect.
The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect.
The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and well-being of all the stakeholders in mind.
These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.
The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.
The BCCI would like to thank all the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchises, sponsors, partners and all the service providers who have tried their best to organise IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times.
BCCI has not yet announced any reschedule for the tournament.
CSK vs RR IPL 2021 match is on its verge of getting postpone after nonplayers of the CSK team have been tested positive for COVID19.
IPL 2021 CSK vs RR match Postponed
The news comes after three members of Chennai Super Kings staff have been tested positive for Covid-19. A Chennai official has said that the franchise is planning to go under quarantine and hence has decided to not play their next match against Rajasthan Royals.
“Tomorrow’s match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium between CSK and RR will be rescheduled as per SOP rules. As Balaji was in contact with the players, all of them have gone into hard quarantine. They are supposed to be tested every day,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
CSK
“The coach is asymptomatic. However, as per the BCCI’s Covid protocols, everybody who has come in contact with him will have to undergo a six-day quarantine. We can’t play our next game (against Rajasthan Royals). The BCCI knows about the testing protocols and how many tests need to become negative before an all-clear is given. We have communicated it to the BCCI. They will have to reschedule the game between CSK and Rajasthan Royals,” a CSK official told.
When CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was contacted, he said that CSK had informed BCCI about Balaji’s RT-PCR result.
“From our end, we had informed that Mr. Balaji has tested positive and as per SOP our players have been isolated,” Viswanathan said.
Along with the match against Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings’ forthcoming game against Sunrisers Hyderabad is also under uncertainty due to the six-day quarantine period.
MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings are scheduled to play against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 7 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
This will be the second match of the IPl 2021 season to get postponed after the COVID strike the IPL. Earlier the KKR vs RCB match postponed owing to a couple of players affected by the COVID virus in the KKR team.
In a bad news for Australian cricketers playing in IPL 2021, Cricket Australia interim CEO Nick Hockley on Monday (May 3) said that the CA has no immediate plans for arranging charter flights to bring back Australian players after the conclusion of IPL 2021.
Cricket Australia on arranging Charter Flights
Chris Lynn, who is with the Mumbai Indians, raised the prospect of a charter flight first, but that notion came in for criticism from some quarters given the number of Australians trying to return from India.
“There’s no suggestion at the moment of any charter flight. We’re working closely and talking closely with the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association), with the players and with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to make sure everyone’s okay and the people have got full information,” Hockley told SEN Radio, as reported by cricket.com.au.
David Warner
“We’ve been in touch with the players there and they are generally in good spirits. The work the BCCI has done around the (bio-secure) bubble means they are feeling safe and secure, and those we’ve talked to are generally planning to complete their playing commitments. The BCCI have come out and said they understand and want to support the players in making sure they get home safely at the end,” he added.
Talking about IPL 2021, Hockley said: “The tournament doesn’t finish until the 30th of May, so for the moment it’s monitor the situation and as we get closer to the end of the tournament we’ll need to see where the situation is at.”
It may be recalled that earlier this year, the CA had decided to postpone Australia’s Test tour of South Africa due to Covid-19. Hockley said: “The tour of South Africa is a different set of circumstances. That is representing the national team and we at Cricket Australia have a direct duty of care around that tour.
Australia cricket team
“The players have made their own decision to go and compete in the IPL on their own time, so technically they are there under their own auspices. But of course, we’re very concerned for their safety, we’re very concerned for their wellbeing and we are concerned to make sure at the end of the tournament that everyone gets home safely. That’s the reason why we’re in such regular contact with the players, with the ACA and the BCCI,” he added.
Australian Players may sentence to Jail
Australian citizens or residents, who have been in India for 14 days from the start of their travel will be banned from travelling back home starting Monday and disobeying could lead to a five-year jail term or hefty fines.
Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt in a statement said, “The government does not make these decisions lightly. However, it is critical the integrity of the Australian public health and quarantine systems is protected and the number of COVID-19 cases in quarantine facilities is reduced to a manageable level.”
“Failure to comply with an emergency determination under the Biosecurity Act, 2015 may incur a civil penalty of 300 penalty units, five years’ imprisonment or both. The CMO will consider the epidemiology in India and likely impacts on Australia’s quarantine capacity, and provide a further expert assessment of the public health risk to Australia to inform a proportionate response,” the statement further said.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja believes that while it may not be impossible for PBKS to make it to the playoffs but will have to play out of their skins to ensure that.
Ajay Jadeja on Punjab Kings(PBKS)
“Punjab are in a tough situation. They are lagging behind on the points table. They are just two positions down from the top four. But I have seen the table getting shuffled drastically. Because the bottom-placed teams are also left with their games. While Punjab are yet to face four out top five sides. So, once they start defeating the teams placed above them, they will be back in the race,” said Jadeja.
Punjab Kings
“Ultimately, the knockouts have almost begun for them. They are slated to face seven teams now and defeating all seven teams on the trot will not be an easy task. It’s not impossible but winning seven out of seven is not easy,” he added.
Jadeja said, “The absence of KL Rahul and his class batting will be a worrisome factor. The batting void can be filled as Mayank Agarwal played a great knock. But it will be a loss from the captaincy point of view.”
Punjab Kings are struggling in IPL 2021 having won just three of their eight matches so far while tasting defeats in the remaining.
They are currently in the sixth position in the latest standings of the IPL 2021 points table with just six points so far. On Sunday, they were defeated by Delhi Capitals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad which further narrowed their path towards playoffs.
Punjab Kings were scheduled to play their next match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 6 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Two members of the MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings(CSK) franchise have tested positive for COVID19 and later tested negative, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 confirmed on Monday.
CSK Staff members tested positive for COVID19
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner have reportedly returned positive results. These tests were RT-PCR tests, conducted over the last 48 hours. Balaji was in the CSK dressing room in their last match vs Mumbai Indians.
According to Espn Cricinfo – CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, Bowling Coach Balaji and Bus Cleaner has been tested positive for COVID-19.
However, rapid antigen tests conducted on Monday afternoon indicated a negative test for all three, spreading massive confusion within the ecosystem.
According to TOI – Rapid Antigen Tests conducted on Today afternoon indicated a negative test for COVID-19 for Balaji, CSK CEO and Bus Cleaner in #CSK camp.
IPL 2021 is being played in bio-bubbles across 6 cities – Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
As per the IPL guidelines, players or franchise members who test positive for Covid have to spend 10 days in isolation and then return 2 negative tests before they can be allowed to rejoin the bubble.
The news from the CSK camp comes just hours after two Kolkata Knight Riders players tested positive for coronavirus which forced IPL organisers to postpone Monday’s match. KKR were scheduled to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and pacer Sandeep Warrior are the two players who contracted coronavirus, the tournament officials confirmed.
KKR had played a match against Delhi Capitals (DC) recently. The BCCI said its medical team is also keeping a close eye on players and staff who would have got into casual contacts with the two KKR players.
Thisara Perera, the Sri Lanka all-rounder, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect on Monday (3 May).
Thisara Perera announces his Retirement
A powerful hitter of the white-ball, Perera was an all-rounder and had been a vital cog in the Sri Lankan cricket team.
Perera thanked his teammates, captains, and members of the SLC for their support.
“I take pride in the fact that I was able to represent Sri Lanka in seven cricket world cups and be a contributing member of the 2014 T20 World Cup win against India in Bangladesh. Easily the highlight of my life,’’ Perera mentioned in his letter.
🏅 2014 @T20WorldCup winner
🎩 Hat-tricks in both ODIs and T20Is
🔥 An all-rounder par excellence
Sri Lanka Cricket thanked a former captain of the limited-overs side, adding they “dearly value the immeasurable services rendered by him to the game.”
“Thisara was a brilliant all-rounder, who has contributed immensely as a player to Sri Lanka Cricket and played a part in some of the glorious cricketing moments of the country,’said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket.
While he will no longer turn out for Sri Lanka, the 32-year-old Perera has confirmed he will continue to play franchise cricket.
The selectors of Sri Lanka earlier made a statement, that that they are considering dropping various senior players from the side for their commencing Bangladesh and ODI tour.
As per the reports of NewsWire, a senior SLC official stated that the selectors are unlikely to consider Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, and Thisara Perera for the upcoming outings for limited-overs cricket.
Perera made his debut for Sri Lanka in an ODI against India in Kolkata in December 2009. Since then, he has been a white-ball regular for Sri Lanka. He scored 2338 runs and picked up 175 wickets in ODIs. In T20Is, he scored 1204 runs and took 51 wickets.
Perera will be remembered for his explosive batting down the order besides the medium pace that earned him 175 ODI wickets in 166 outings. The former Sri Lanka captain also smashed 2,338 ODI runs with 10 fifties and a hundred.
The Sri Lankan all-rounder played his last Test match against Pakistan in the year 2012 but kept on being an active member of Sri Lanka’s limited-overs squad. He was part of the Lanka squad that won the 2014 ICC World T20.
