Malinga takes blame for T20I series loss to India

Sri Lanka skipper Lasith Malinga has taken the blame for the 0-2 drubbing at the hands of the Indians in the recent T20I series against India and admitted that leading an inexperienced side put too much of pressure on him. The world-class pacer said that the lack of early wickets and partnerships was the major reason for the loss. Sri Lanka lost the third and final T20I by 78 runs to lose the series 0-2. They had earlier lost the second game as well, while the first match had been abandoned.

“We lost 2-0. I have to perform well because I have experience playing T20 cricket, but I didn’t get a single wicket in this tournament, that is why we are in this situation, 65-70 percent (of the times),” said the 36-year-old Malinga, who returned figures of 0/40 and 0/41 in Pune and Indore, respectively.

“I am the most experienced player in the team in T20s. Yes, I have the pressure to get wickets because I am a wicket-taking bowler, but I feel if we want to win the match we have to get one-two wickets early in the first six overs, we didn’t get that in this tournament,” he rued.

Malinga added that building partnerships are the most important aspect to succeed in the format and that his players need to understand its importance.

“The top order is important and Indian top order got good partnerships. The Partnership is important in the T20 game. Because people (players) are thinking it is 20 overs like we have to hit every single ball.”

“They can bat and they can hit shots. But they’ve to learn to build an innings. That we are lacking. Last one and half/two years, we didn’t have that luxury.

“Previously, we had Sanga (Kumara Sangakkara), Mahela (Jayawardane) and Dilshan – they knew how to build an innings. The young players are talented, they want to play their shots, but sometimes they have to be calm and handle the situation. That part is lacking,” added the Sri Lankan skipper.

Malinga also focused on his leadership skills and added that he should have raised his game.

“Going forward, I am looking forward to getting my job done. I can’t give an excuse to others (on non-performance) as I have wicket-taking variations, skills.

“I have experience of playing franchise cricket but, at the end of the day, in this tournament, I did not do anything for the team.” Admitting that the pressure of captaincy affects his performance, Malinga said in 2014, it was not the case as there were experienced players.

“Captaincy means, when we have experienced players who can handle situations, it is very easy to do the job. But now I don’t have that luxury.

“When I was a captain in 2014, I had Mahela, Sanga, Angelo (Mathews), Dilshan, we had lots of experienced players who were match-winners, they knew what they needed to do. “Now, players are not experienced and I have to guide them and I have to wait and see,” he said.