Sri Lanka and indiscipline: Will this downward spiral ever end?

Sri Lankan cricket is in the news for its poor performances both on the field as well as off the field. The side is struggling on the field and has lost all the four limited-overs matches (3 T20Is and 1 ODI) that they have played against England thus far. But then, their poor performance off the field has grabbed the limelight now.

Breaching the bubble

Just before the ODI series between England and Sri Lanka, news broke out that three Sri Lankan players, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka had breached the bio bubble, and as a result, they were not allowed to participate in the ODI series.

SLC has decided to bring back cricketers Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the bio-bubble.

Video Credit – Nazzer Nisthar #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/kfGrLC9MQv

— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) June 28, 2021

But then, this is not the first time that Sri Lankan players have indulged in indiscipline. In January 2016, news came in that some of the Sri Lankan players had attended late-night parties before matches, and it had resulted in their poor performance against New Zealand.

Other mishaps

Also, in 2018, Danushka Gunathilaka was allegedly involved in a sexual assault case. He had breached the Player Code of Conduct and was even suspended for a few matches. It was alleged that the Sri Lankan cricketer had misbehaved with a Norwegian woman.

Also, just a few months before the 2019 World Cup, former Sri Lankan captain and cricketing legend Arjuna Ranatunga had stated that the Sri Lankan cricketers were fighting with each other and the side will not fare well in the multination tournament. He even opined that the players were playing for their own personal gain.

“There is corruption at the board. Players are demoralised. Players are fighting with each other. We have to improve player discipline. There are some players who are not playing for the country but for their own personal gain,”” Ranatunga had lashed out ahead of the World Cup.

Also, even in January 2021, there were reports of a Sri Lankan cricketer getting embroiled in a sex scandal when Sri Lanka were facing England in a Test series.

Surely, these incidents in the last few years bring us to a pertinent question. Will this story of indiscipline ever end in Sri Lankan cricket?

Sri Lankan cricket is experiencing arguably its worst period ever, both on the field as well as off the field. And surely, the fans of the Sri Lankan cricket team will be hoping that their team players improve their performances, both on the field as well as off the field. For, these incidents of indiscipline show Sri Lankan cricket in a very poor light.