Thisara Perera named Sri Lankan ODI captain

Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera has been appointed as the skipper of the One-Day International side with immediate effect. He will replace Upul Tharanga who was at the helm since the ODI series against India. Perera will lead the island nation in the upcoming three-match ODI series in India. However, the results need to change for Sri Lanka and not the captains as they have struggled a lot in 2017.

Tharanga was named the skipper after Angelo Mathews resigned earlier this year from the position in the wake of the shocking series loss to Zimbabwe at home. They almost lost the only Test match against them which followed soon but somehow clung on it to save more embarrassment. Though, Tharanga couldn’t arrest the string of losses after taking over as they were whitewashed by India and Pakistan in the five-match series.

Perera the right choice?

Thisara Perera and Asela Gunaratne were amongst the front-runner for the captaincy according to the reports last week. The former had impressed one and all with his leadership skills in the T20I series against Pakistan, the third of which was held in Lahore. He has also produced commendable performances in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the T20 tournament of the country.

Tharanga managed to secure only four wins in 22 ODIs he has led Sri Lanka so far. It has also been reported that he wanted to step down from the captaincy and play freely at the top by concentrating on his game. Though it remains to be seen if the results follow the change of the leader or the miserable year for the island nation continues. Gunaratne is likely to return to the side after being on the sidelines due to the thumb injury which he sustained during the Test series against India at home.

The Test team is currently led by Dinesh Chandimal and is struggling in the ongoing series against the number 1 Test side having recently lost the second Test by an innings and 239 runs. The third and final Test will be played on December 2 in Delhi. The limited-overs leg of the tour is all set to commence on December 10.