Sri Lanka's Captain Voices Concerns Over Criticism After World Cup Exit

Following Sri Lanka's exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, captain Dasun Shanaka has expressed his concerns regarding the external negativity surrounding the team. After a disappointing loss to New Zealand, Shanaka highlighted the impact of uninformed public commentary on players' mental health. He called for a more constructive dialogue about the team's performance rather than focusing on criticism. Shanaka's plea emphasizes the need for support from the government to protect the future of cricket in Sri Lanka amidst ongoing challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 14:51 IST

Sri Lanka's World Cup Journey Ends

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka's cricket team, has raised alarms about the 'outside negativity' impacting cricket in the nation after their elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026. This came after a 61-run defeat to New Zealand in the Super 8s stage on Wednesday.

Super 8s Performance Overview

Sri Lanka advanced to the Super 8s following victories against Ireland, Oman, and Australia, alongside a loss to Zimbabwe. Initially, their win over Australia sparked hopes of a semifinal appearance. However, they suffered defeats in both Super 8 matches against England and New Zealand, leading to their exit from the tournament.

Shanaka Discusses External Pressures

In a post-match press conference, Shanaka acknowledged the support from mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who helped the team navigate the intense external criticism during the World Cup. He emphasized that while the players strive to maintain a positive outlook, the relentless negativity from outside sources, particularly uninformed commentary, poses a significant challenge. Shanaka described this negativity as detrimental to Sri Lankan cricket and expressed his worries about safeguarding the sport amidst such criticism.

Call for Constructive Dialogue

Shanaka conveyed that the team is aware of the reasons behind their defeats and understands public concern. However, he pointed out that ongoing criticism has overshadowed constructive discussions. He questioned the need for spreading negativity, stating, 'Yes, we lost a World Cup, and we know the reasons. Everyone has concerns. More than talking about that and correcting it, the negativity has come to the fore.' He urged that if the government could help mitigate this negativity, it would greatly benefit the mental health of future players.