Angelo Mathews back in the reckoning for Sri Lanka's ODI captaincy

In an extraordinary turn of event, there is a possibility that Angelo Mathews might be appointed the captain of the Sri Lanka ODI team. He has stormed back into the reckoning just within the six months of resigning from the helm. His successors Upul Tharanga and Thisara Perera have miserably failed to turn the fortunes of the team which has suffered heavy defeats at the hands of India and Pakistan. However, there are also chances that the Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal is given the nod ahead of the injury-prone Mathews.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) signed Chandika Hathurusingha as the head coach of the national side with an aim to build the side with the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 only 18 months away. It is highly unlikely that Perera will continue as the leader of the pack under the new regime. But the appointment of Mathews or even Chandimal is not going to solve the issues for them as the former’s case is complicated with frequent injuries and the latter has failed to find a place in the squad recently.

Though Chandimal has done well in the longest format and led Sri Lanka to a historic series win against Pakistan in their adopted home. Even his form has been impeccable with the bat which he displayed during the tough tour to India.

Final decision to be made on January 9

SLC seems to be eyeing the upcoming pinnacle event in ODIs in 2019 and have decided to fall back on the experience of Angelo Mathews or Chandimal for captaincy. “The decision to strike out in another direction – the next World Cup only 18 months out – was made in a meeting featuring SLC office bearers, the selectors, and Hathurusingha,” the board release said according to ESPN Cricinfo. Lasith Malinga was also a fruitful option for the position but he has been dropped from the side due to his poor form.

The final decision on captaincy will be made on January 9 before the team heads to Bangladesh for the tri-series also involving Zimbabwe. “During the discussion, the Chairman of selectors informed me that they are considering appointing either Angelo Mathews or Dinesh Chandimal to fill the role,” SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala informed the reporters.