Sri Lanka cricket captain Dasun Shanaka has expressed concern over the impact of relentless criticism on his players’ mental health, following the team’s elimination from the T20 World Cup group stage on Wednesday. The skipper stressed that the “atmosphere of negativity” surrounding the team has reached a point where authorities should step in to protect players’ well-being.
Disappointing World Cup Campaign
Co-hosts Sri Lanka faced intense scrutiny from fans and cricket pundits ahead of the tournament, particularly after a poor build-up that saw them lose five out of six limited-overs matches to England. Their struggles continued in the World Cup, with Wednesday’s Super Eights defeat to New Zealand confirming their exit from the tournament.
Shanaka apologized to fans for what he described as an “embarrassing” performance. However, he emphasized that constant negativity affects players’ mental health, not just in the present but also for future generations of cricketers.
“No matter how we as cricketers try to stay positive, there is negativity outside,” Shanaka said after the loss in Colombo. “We will play and leave, but for the players who will come in the future, if the government can even stop it, that’s better for their mental health.”
There is a lot of hurt all round. The fans devastated , disappointed , angry. The players are hurting badly too. I have been in similar dressing rooms. It’s not easy. But this responsibility comes with the turf. It’s a burden and a great privilege to represent your country and
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) February 26, 2026
Challenges on the Field
Sri Lanka’s chase of 169 against New Zealand collapsed quickly, with the team at 46-5 in the 11th over. Injuries to key bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, and Ehsan Malinga further weakened the side, compounding the challenge.
Shanaka stressed the importance of fitness, noting that poor fitness levels have contributed to injuries and limited team selection. “When you have the number of injuries we’ve had, it’s hard to get a good outcome,” he said. “Your fitness level influences your injuries. There are some players who can’t even get into the team because of fitness issues. That’s something we’ve talked about a lot over several World Cups now.”
Calls for Structural Changes
Former captain Kumar Sangakkara weighed in on the team’s struggles, warning that Sri Lanka risks becoming irrelevant in international cricket if reforms are not made. Writing on X, Sangakkara said:
“There is a lot of work to be done at all levels to course correct. We can’t do the same things over and over and expect different results when the cricket world around us has evolved so quickly. We haven’t adapted, and the danger is irrelevance.”
Shanaka’s comments underscore a growing concern in cricket that public and media pressure, combined with structural challenges like injuries and fitness, can seriously affect player performance and long-term team prospects.
