Indian Premier League (IPL) teams will lose two captains and some top stars if Sri Lankan players return to prepare for the tour of England. A host of Australian players will, however, join their teams this week after the ODI series against Bangladesh.
The big loss from the exit of Sri Lankan players will be of Deccan Chargers and new entratns Kochi Tuskers who ware lead by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene respectively. Besides, Tillakaratne Dilshan (Royal Challengers), Angelo Mathews (Pune Warriors), Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians), Suran Randiv and Nuwan Kulasekara (Chennai Super Kings), Thisara Perera (Kochi Tuskers) and Nuwan Pradeep (Royal Challengers) are the other Sri Lankan players in the league.
All of them play a key role in the 10 IPL teams and their absence will be missed. Sri Lankan sports minister Mahinadananda Althugamage has asked the players to return by May 5 and prepare for the tour to England. "On a recommendation made by the national selection committee I have instructed the secretary of the board to inform the players to return by at least the 5th of May to prepare for the tour," Aluthgamage said on Tuesday.
Going by the current form of the Sri Lankans players, Mumbai Indians will be hurt the most as they will lose Malinga, who has been an important player in their two victories in as may matches. The express fast bowler took five wickets against Delhi Daredevils while he got another couple of wickets against Bangalore. Deccan Chargers and Kochi will have to select two new leaders which mean they may have to rethink their strategies and also get their balance right.
The going has been tough for both teams so far. Dilshan is a key player for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The formidable opener is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed. IPL has faced such problems in the earlier three editions when English and Australian players were not able to play the entire tournament due to national duty. Australia's three match ODI series against Bangladesh ends on Wednesday and 10 players will join their IPL teams later this week. KKR will benefit the most. They have there Australian players in wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and fast bowlers Brett Lee and James Pattinson. KKR also have Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan in the squad.
Michael Hussey will join the Super Kings while Shane Watson, who struck a record 15 sixes in an ODI, will add bite to the Rajasthan Royals batting. All-rounder Cameron White will be an important addition to Deccan Chargers. Leg spinner Steven Smith and all-rounder John Hastings will join Kochi Tuskers. Pune warriors also have two Australians in batsman Callum Ferguson and wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who are on national duty in Bangladesh.