'What's happened to Sri Lanka cricket?' - Kevin Pietersen in despair seeing SL's dipping form

If one reminisces into the yesteryears, they would get one with the fact that the Sri Lankan cricket team was once considered to be one of the best sides in the cricketing world. With the likes of some of the behemoths such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, and Lasith Malinga the nation produced some of the finest cricketers in the past. The team that once qualified for the ICC finals 5 times in 7 years between the ODI WC 2007 to T20 WC 2014 is now struggling to find winning ways. 

Sri Lanka had last won a T20I series in 2018 and ever since then, they have lost five series consecutively. After the upsetting T20Is Sri Lanka weren’t able to change their fortunes in the ODIs as well. As adding to it now, they are trailing behind in the ODI series 2-0.  The Eoin Morgan led England registered victory against them in the second ODI by 8 wickets and thus clearly dominated the proceedings.

Opening up on this disappointing outing of Sri Lanka, the former England Captain and commentator Kevin Pietersen took it to Twitter to express his thoughts. Thus earlier on Friday, the veteran tweeted, “Aravinda, Arjuna, Vaas, Murali, Mahela, Kumar, just to name a few SL players that would have walked into any world 11 at their time. What’s happened to SL cricket?”

Aravinda
Arjuna
Vaas
Murali
Mahela
Kumar, just to name a few SL players that would have walked into any world II at their time.

What’s happened to SL cricket?

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 2, 2021

Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against India this month

As of now Sri Lanka has played 10 T20I series since 2018 and has been able to secure just a lone series victory. Going by their current form, the series against India would be a pivotal one for the Lankans to get back to winning streaks. They would aim to take some stern actions and bring in a few tweaks to seal the gaps. 

India on the other hand have a good mix of both young and experienced players. The second-string Indian squad would be led by Shikhar Dhawan who previously asserted that it is a moment of pride for him and he is looking forward to take the charge of the field. With the former Indian Captain Rahul Dravid taking up the mantle as the head coach, it would be a big learning experience for the youngsters in the squad.