Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardena stepped down as T20 skipper late on Sunday. His decision came after his team’s 36-run loss to West Indies in the final match of ICC World T20.
“Just one announcement guys, I have had a chat with the selectors and I have decided to step down as a captain of the Sri Lankan T20 team after the end of the tournament,” Jayawardene said in a matter-of-factly manner at the end of the post-match press conference in Colombo.
“I have taken this decision so that the selection committee can groom someone younger for this job,” he added.
The 35-year-old also informed that he will “assess his future as captain” in the ODIs and Tests after Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in coming December. “Obviously, I will remain captain in the Tests and ODIs till the Australia series in December and then take a call on my future as captain,” he said.
When questioned whether he will continue playing twenty20 international, he smiled and replied: “It depends whether the new captain wants me in the team.”
Jayawardena had been leading the team since the tour Down Under involving India earlier after Tillakaratne Dilshan had stepped down. On Sunday, in the post match conference, Jayawardena had said that while he was happy with the way the team performed, the players will have to go past the loss in the title clash.
“They played well under pressure. Marlon Samuels batted well. We have played good cricket in this tournament and will need to discuss this match and get over it,” he said. He has reportedly also said that he may continue playing in this format at the international stage, the NDTV said.
Jayawardena scored 243 runs in the tournament – at an average of 40.5. His team beat the likes of Pakistan and New Zealand to reach the final.
Source: Daily Mirror(Sri Lanka)
