Russel Arnold speaks about the discrepancies in the Sri Lankan team after a drubbing

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold has been quite optimistic in recent times when it comes to Sri Lankan cricket. However, as far as the results are concerned, the islanders have faltered badly. Whether it has been the series defeats against Bangladesh or their early exit from the Champions Trophy, it has cast a shadow of a doubt on their credentials.

Now with Team India completing an ODI whitewash simultaneously after the Test series clean sweep. Before this, the hosts were also defeated by Zimbabwe in the ODI series 3-2. Russel spoke in detail about the prospects of the Sri Lankan team in the future, how they have failed to find apt replacements for the legends who retired in the last few years.

Why there can’t be another Jayawardene or Sangakkara

He stressed on the fact that players like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan cannot be replaced, they’ve left too big a void to be filled. The emphasis should be on finding the right talent and grooming them to perform to the best of their abilities. That is what will ensure the team does well.

“We are not going to replace big players like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, or even Tilakratne Dilshan. They cannot be replaced as they are once in a lifetime players,” Arnold was quoted by The Hindu as saying. “If we ask the current players to be like them, then you are asking too much and would be putting too much pressure on them. I think that’s the biggest mistake we are making, looking for replacements and putting undue pressure on the younger players,” he added.

The commentator further emphasised that players should establish their own identity rather than attempting to replicate others. “We have to use what we have. They are different players. You have to identify their strengths, let them blossom in their own time and allow them to develop their own styles,” Russel stated.