The call of Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for the cricketers to come back to the country to prepare for the England tour has put all the IPL teams in trouble. Cricketers are in a dilemma as they have been given a deadline to come back by 5th May. This is not practically possible for the players as the matches will last till 28th May. They cannot leave the matches in the middle. Sri Lankan Board seem to indulge in double speak as on the one hand the Sri Lankan board is saying that it has always been getting the support of the BCCI and on the other hand the country has called its players back home. Mahindananda Aluthgamage also said that before going for other matches or competitions the players should make sure that their first priority is their country.
Now, let us recall the third season of IPL. During that too the team had to go on England’s tour but the Sri Lankan board cancelled the England tour and allowed the players to play in IPL. So why is the board so eager to call the players back this time? Actually, this time the Sri Lankan Board could not make more profit; if we go deeper we may find more facts. You might remember that Mahindananda Aluthgamage strongly criticized the insult of the Sri Lankan leaders at the time of World Cup final match being played in Mumbai. It seems the board has taken this decision after this incidence only. Now, BCCI is contacting the Sri Lankan Board to find out some solution. Mahindananda Aluthgamage on the recommendation of the National Selection Committee has asked the players to come back to the country by 5th May. Players have decided not to follow this order, they will return only after the completion of the matches. As per sources the current controversy has spoilt relations between the Sri Lankan Board and the BCCI. The teams too are in a state of shock as they cannot afford to lose their eminent players at this crucial time.
There are many teams in the IPL which have played their share of league matches. Mumbai Indians will badly suffer from the loss of Malinga. If he leaves, Captain Sachin Tendulkar will have to revise his strategies. The team will become weak. Sri Lanka’s star player Dilshan is an important batsman of Royal Challengers team. No doubt that this is a tough situation for all the teams. As per the Sri Lankan media this controversy has soured the relations between the cricket boards of the two countries.
