NEW DELHI: Mahela Jayawardene and several other Sri Lankan players are likely to miss the business end of IPL 4 after their sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage on Wednesday reiterated that they would be required to report for a preparatory camp by May 5 for their upcoming tour of England.
Captained by Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Lankans play their first game against Middlesex from June 14-16.
Playing XI regulars such as Jayawardene, Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara may each miss out on at least five crucial league matches. If their team enters the semifinals, the number goes up further. In a league where currently only four points separate the top team from those in the basement, the new Lankan twist could radically impact the final outcome.
HERE'S a look at how the exit of Lankan players might affect the tightest IPL ever:
Kochi Tuskers Kerala:
Without skipper Jayawardene's motivating presence, Kochi Tuskers might well be doomed. Jayawardene's classy 56 off 36 balls played a key role in the newbies' improbable triumph over Mumbai Indians. The Tuskers, who are short on quality, will also miss paceman Thisara Perera. Thankfully, they will continue to enjoy the services of Muttiah Muralitharan, who has retired from international cricket.
Mumbai Indians:
The team must be happy that paceman Malinga is not in the Test squad for the England tour. Which means he will be playing throughout for Mukesh Ambani's team. Few have been able to negotiate Slinga's high-speed, swinging yorkers. However, the Mumbai team will miss paceman Dilhara Fernando who has been called for national duty.
Chennai Super Kings:
The defending champions have a problem defending totals this season. Skipper MS Dhoni and company must take blame for letting the peerless off spinner Murali go. But perhaps they were hoping to make long-term profit with newcomer Suraj Randiv who plies similar trade. The Lankan Board's decision now means their plans have gone awry. CSK are extremely lucky that medium-pacer Nuwan Kulasekara is not part of the Lankan Test squad. Kulasekara, who gets the ball to move both ways, could have been unplayable in English conditions.
Deccan Chargers:
Skipper Kumar Sangakkara's smashing 49 off 35 balls helped the IPL 2 winners carve out a stiff win against Delhi Daredevils. Without his leadership, the team could meander like a rudderless ship.
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
He may not be in the best of form but Dilshan can walk into any T20 side anytime. His absence would mean another blow to the struggling Vijay Mallya side. There's a flip side to every story. Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils do not have a single Lankan player in the squad. They will gain by the weakening of their opponents. Pune Warriors India had all-rounder Angelo Mathews in their ranks but lost him to injury before a ball was bowled in IPL 4.
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Captained by Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Lankans play their first game against Middlesex from June 14-16.
Playing XI regulars such as Jayawardene, Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara may each miss out on at least five crucial league matches. If their team enters the semifinals, the number goes up further. In a league where currently only four points separate the top team from those in the basement, the new Lankan twist could radically impact the final outcome.
HERE'S a look at how the exit of Lankan players might affect the tightest IPL ever:
Kochi Tuskers Kerala:
Without skipper Jayawardene's motivating presence, Kochi Tuskers might well be doomed. Jayawardene's classy 56 off 36 balls played a key role in the newbies' improbable triumph over Mumbai Indians. The Tuskers, who are short on quality, will also miss paceman Thisara Perera. Thankfully, they will continue to enjoy the services of Muttiah Muralitharan, who has retired from international cricket.
Mumbai Indians:
The team must be happy that paceman Malinga is not in the Test squad for the England tour. Which means he will be playing throughout for Mukesh Ambani's team. Few have been able to negotiate Slinga's high-speed, swinging yorkers. However, the Mumbai team will miss paceman Dilhara Fernando who has been called for national duty.
Chennai Super Kings:
The defending champions have a problem defending totals this season. Skipper MS Dhoni and company must take blame for letting the peerless off spinner Murali go. But perhaps they were hoping to make long-term profit with newcomer Suraj Randiv who plies similar trade. The Lankan Board's decision now means their plans have gone awry. CSK are extremely lucky that medium-pacer Nuwan Kulasekara is not part of the Lankan Test squad. Kulasekara, who gets the ball to move both ways, could have been unplayable in English conditions.
Deccan Chargers:
Skipper Kumar Sangakkara's smashing 49 off 35 balls helped the IPL 2 winners carve out a stiff win against Delhi Daredevils. Without his leadership, the team could meander like a rudderless ship.
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
He may not be in the best of form but Dilshan can walk into any T20 side anytime. His absence would mean another blow to the struggling Vijay Mallya side. There's a flip side to every story. Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils do not have a single Lankan player in the squad. They will gain by the weakening of their opponents. Pune Warriors India had all-rounder Angelo Mathews in their ranks but lost him to injury before a ball was bowled in IPL 4.
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