Sri Lanka won an ODI series against India after 27 years. The Lions dominated the series winning it 2-0. However, despite winning the bilateral series, the nation has struggled in the major events. The Lankan was humiliated in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 against India. Then in the ODI World Cup 2023, they failed to qualify in the knockout stages.
The downfall of the team has been eye-catching till 2023 August Lankan Lions have won just 34 out of 105 international matches since the start of 2018 with a W/L ratio of 0.567. It has been heartbreaking to watch the team which once dominated in the world stages did not even qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 edition. They finished 9th in the league table of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. Losing 7 matches out of 9.
For a team that qualified for five out of the last 10 finals in ICC events before 2016. Have reached only one final since then in 2023 of the Asia Cup. The transition from their senior cricketers to junior ones has not worked out well for various reasons. In the article, we will take a look at some of the reasons for the downfall of Sri Lanka’s cricket.
Here are the 5 reasons for the downfall of Sri Lanka cricket
5. Fans engagement
Over the years the fans’ engagement in the nation has reduced. The fans do not visit the stadium often to cheer their nation. During the bilateral series, some fans visit the stadiums. During the Asia Cup, it was witnessed in the group stage games the spectators were very minimal. As the team’s performances declined, so did the support from fans.
4. Media Coverage
The media has scrutinised the board’s decisions and the team’s performance has heightened public scrutiny and added pressure on the cricket board and the cricketers as well which has resulted in the decline of the performances. The media feels the transition and compares the current cricketers’ skill sets with the former ones, which are different and unmatched.
3. Increased competition
The rise of the associate nations in the cricketing world has increased the competitiveness in the cricketing field. The strengthening of traditional rivals have intensified competition. Sri Lanka has struggled to keep pace with the evolving standards of the game. This has created problems in their standards of the game.
2. Financial Problems
The economic challenges have created problems for the Cricket Board. Reduced funding for domestic leagues and development programs has slowed the expansion of cricket infrastructure and player support systems. Sponsorship and broadcasting earnings have not been as strong as in other cricketing nations. This financial hardship has reduced the ability to attract and retain top talent as well as to invest in better facilities.
1. Domestic players development
Most of the cricketing nations that are currently successful have an excellent base of domestic players. They nurture the young talents so that they can go and perform at the highest level of international cricketing events. Sri Lanka was once a strong cricket talent development system has weakened. Inadequate facilities, low coaching standards, and a lack of emphasis on grassroots development all contributed to this downfall.
