DILSHAN OUT -MAHELA IN

I saw several varied stories in newspaper articles- So I resigned from captaincy—DILSHAN.

I took over the captaincy as the team’s morale was at low ebb. That is why I took over the captaincy. That too only for a period of one calendar year- MAHELA.

The first press conference after Mahela was elected as the new captain was held yesterday. I could not refuse a request made by the SLC on behalf of the Sri Lankan cricket team who needed my leadership. I gave up the captaincy not with any intention of regaining it again. No one influenced me to accept the leadership decision, quipped Mahela.
“ After the ICC World Cup 2011 I resigned from the vice captaincy reigns as my intention was a youngster to be groomed into my place. According to the present situation a novice cannot be entrusted with the captaincy reigns. Thinking purely on it I consented to take over the captaincy. I discussed with the new selection panel that I would take over under the condition that it would be only for a period of only one year. I said I will be 35 years old in a few months and to remain in a side one has to perform well consistently I do not like to remain in the side if I cannot perform consistently. That is the reason for accepting the captaincy for only a period of one year. We should  from now onwards must find the most suitable person to take over captaincy reigns. We all accept defeat as a team. We lost the England Test series 1-0 and the ODI series by a margin 3-2.World’s best team India lost to England in Tests by a margin 4-0. India to date has lost to Australia in Tests by a margin 3-0.with the remainder Test also on verge of defeat. What we failed to perform was in all three departments of the game. Hence the % of losses was very high.”

The former skipper Tillakaratna also spoke and his version was as follows:

“I was appointed captain only for the South African tour. Before the tour ended there were many speculations with regard to captaincy issues in the media which were read by me. Hence I decided to resign from the captaincy with immediate effect at the conclusion of the tour. However if the new selection committee decides and requests me to continue I am prepared to carry on.
Owing to pressure from the selection committee I decided to tender my resignation as the captain. During the past we have won with new younger players in the team. I was appointed captain with several new players in the team. They have on numerous occasions guided our team to victories. If I was appointed captain for the Australian tour I had the confidence to do well.
The new selection committee had elected Mahela as the new captain. I will give my fullest support to the team”
The Tri nation tour involving India , Sri Lanka and hosts Australia is due to begin on 5th of February. To participate in this Tri nation tournament the Sri Lankan team comprising of a squad of 15 is due take wing ‘Down Under’ tonight the 27th.Some photographs taken after the press conference could be viewed below: