Will the boomerang effect on selectors and skippers end with Asalanka?
Sri Lanka Cricket selectors are a rare breed. In December 2023, they were confident that both Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis could be their long-term captains for the T20 and ODI teams, respectively. Seven months later, neither Mendis nor Hasaranga can hold on to their positions, as selectors have decided to change guard and appoint Charith Asalanka as white-ball skipper.
Asalanka, who has been groomed from a very young age to become a leader, having captained his school and national U-19 teams, was not initially considered the heir apparent to Dasun Shanaka. However, he has now received the role by default as selectors have run out of options to replace Hasaranga and Mendis, who they now believe are misfits for the job.
Hasaranga’s resignation in the face of an impending sacking was expected, but it raises the question of why selectors had thought he was qualified for the job in the first place. Their decision seems to have been based more on his individual brilliance as a player rather than his leadership capabilities, which are entirely different set of skills. Leadership requires not just personal excellence but the ability to inspire and manage a team, traits that are honed over time and experience.
Can Chief Selector Upul Tharanga change Sri Lanka's downhill drive with the appointment of Charith Asalanka as white-ball skipper?
Kusal Mendis, on the other hand, was a leader from his school days, and his record as ODI skipper was decent with eight wins out of 16 games. One wonders why they want to sack him at this point when even his conduct and ODI performance with the bat have been fair. His leadership was beginning to show promise, and with a bit more support and time, he could have developed into a solid captain. The decision to replace him appears hasty and poorly thought out, driven perhaps by the pressure of immediate results rather than a strategic long-term plan.
This situation mirrors the 2017-2019 period when every player in the team thought they could captain the side, thanks to selection blunders, causing many splits within the team. The lack of a clear and consistent leadership led to factions within the squad, undermining team unity and performance.
Chairman of Selectors Upul Tharanga himself experienced this turmoil, having lost the captaincy just a few months after taking over the white-ball leadership. Tharanga, who was named captain until the 2019 World Cup, also lost his place in the side.
The selectors seem to be repeating past mistakes without learning from them, leading to a cycle of instability and under-performance.
This inconsistency in selection and poor decision-making are key reasons why Sri Lankan cricket is where it is today. The frequent leadership changes reflect a broader issue within the administration, where decisions are made without a long-term vision. If selectors believe a certain player is qualified to lead the country, they should back him for some time, regardless of on-field results. Stability is crucial in building a team, and constant chopping and changing undermine the confidence of both the players and the fans.
Asalanka faces a tough task. He has to lead a team with at least five former captains and guide them through a challenging period. The presence of so many ex-captains could lead to a clash of egos and conflicting strategies, making his task even more difficult. He will need to assert his authority while also earning the respect and support of his teammates.
What will the selectors do if Sri Lanka loses both the ODI and T20 series against India later this month? Will they look for another captain to take over? This constant uncertainty is detrimental to the team’s morale and performance.
If Asalanka had ever been on their radar, they should have given him the leadership in December and built the team around him, like South Africa did with Graeme Smith. Smith was appointed as captain at a young age and given the time and support to grow into the role, leading South Africa to significant success. Sri Lanka’s selectors are searching in the dark, hoping that changing captains like they change undergarments, will herald a new chapter. It won’t, but Asalanka might pay the price for all their sins.
Tharanga and his colleagues might be better players, but their decision-making in recent times has been questionable, lacking in foresight and certainty. The role of a selector is not just to pick the best players but to build a team that can perform consistently over time. This requires a clear vision, strategic planning, and the courage to stick with decisions even in the face of short-term setbacks.
Sri Lanka cricket’s current predicament is a result of a series of short-sighted decisions. The selectors’ approach has been reactive rather than proactive, driven more by immediate pressures than a coherent long-term strategy. This has created a culture of instability and uncertainty, where players are constantly under pressure to perform not just for their place in the team but for their captaincy as well.
The frequent changes in leadership also affect the players’ confidence. When they see captains being replaced frequently, it sends a message that no one is secure in their position, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty. This can lead to players focusing more on individual performances to secure their places rather than working together as a team, undermining the overall outcomes and cohesion of the side.
The role of a captain is crucial in cricket, perhaps more so than in any other sport. A good captain can inspire and lead the team to success, while poor leadership can lead to chaos and under-performance. Therefore, the decision to appoint one should be made with great care and consideration, looking at the player’s leadership qualities, experience, and ability to inspire and manage the team.
The selectors need a change in approach. They need to adopt a long-term vision and stick with their decisions, giving players the support and confidence required to grow into their roles. This will create a stable and confident team, capable of performing consistently at the highest level. The current approach of frequent changes and short-sighted decisions is not working and is only leading to further instability and under-performance. It is time for the selectors to learn from past mistakes and adopt a more strategic and enduring way of building the team.
Asalanka’s appointment as captain could be a step in the right direction, but only if he is given the time and support to grow into the role. Otherwise, Sri Lanka cricket will continue to struggle, and the cycle of instability and under-performance will continue.