* Bye Bye Mahela thanks for nothing!
* Leaves Sri Lanka Cricket in a worse position than when he took over
In what can only be described as a monumental feat of underachievement, Mahela Jayawardena, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, has bid adieu to his role as Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) Consultant Coach. Jayawardena, who held the position for nearly two years, leaves behind a legacy of… well, not much, if we are to be brutally honest.
During his tenure, Jayawardena was reportedly paid a modest sum of USD $18,000, a pittance for such an esteemed figure, yet somehow, this financial outlay seems extravagant when juxtaposed with the tangible outcomes of his stint. When Jayawardena assumed the role, Sri Lanka was ranked 7th in Tests, 8th in ODIs, and 8th in T20Is. Fast forward to today, and the rankings are, wait for it, 8th in Tests, 8th in ODIs, and 9th in T20Is. Remarkable consistency, one might say, but perhaps not the kind SLC was hoping for.
Jayawardena’s coaching prowess is often touted, especially given his success with the Mumbai Indians, where he led the team to three IPL titles. However, it’s worth noting the saying, “A coach is only as good as his team.” At the IPL level, where teams are composed of international superstars, coaching might be akin to being handed the keys to a Ferrari and being congratulated for driving fast. The real test, turning around a struggling SLC, remained unmet.
In his role, Jayawardena was expected to bring strategic support, develop coaching and player programs, and strengthen domestic cricket structures. Yet, the unchanged and even slightly diminished rankings suggest that these initiatives did not quite hit the mark. One might wonder if he spent more time reminiscing about his playing days than actually implementing effective strategies.
Despite these less-than-stellar results, SLC graciously wished Jayawardena well in his future endeavors. “Sri Lanka Cricket takes this opportunity to wish Mahela all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for the services he rendered during his tenure,” read a statement that one could almost hear dripping with reluctant politeness.
So, here’s to Mahela Jayawardena: a cricketing icon whose brilliance on the field was matched only by the inexplicable void left by his off-field coaching stint.
Farewell, Mahela. Thanks for the memories, if not the measurable progress.
See comparison below.
In September 2022, the rankings for Sri Lanka Cricket were as follows:
- Test Rankings: 7th place
- ODI Rankings: 8th place
- T20I Rankings: 8th place
As of June 2024, Sri Lanka’s cricket team holds the following positions in the ICC rankings:
- Test Rankings: 8th place
- ODI Rankings: 8th place
- T20I Rankings: 9th place
