Once hailed as lions on the global cricketing stage, Sri Lanka’s downfall is no less than a gripping tragedy. What began as a dream run has devolved into a nightmare, filled with betrayal, boardroom clashes, and fading legacies. Welcome to the story of the Crumbling Empire of Sri Lankan Cricket a tale where no coach survives, no strategy prevails, and no player shines long enough to restore its lost glory.
The Arrival of Hope: Jayawardena and Silverwood Step In
When Mahela Jayawardena returned as Consultant Coach and Chris Silverwood took over as Head Coach, there was a flicker of hope. Together, they were supposed to resurrect a fallen team. With Jayawardena’s tactical brain and Silverwood’s disciplined approach, Sri Lanka looked set to build a new core.
But hope can be deceiving. And in the Crumbling Empire of Sri Lankan Cricket, even the brightest intentions eventually lose their way in the fog of politics and poor performances.
The First Signs of Trouble: Silent Power Struggles
Jayawardena, a respected tactician and former captain, introduced radical structural changes. High-performance setups, youth development programs, and fresh training systems were implemented. But soon, he realized something was off.
His inputs were ignored, and his vision was side-lined. The sudden appointment of Sanath Jayasuriya as a consultant reportedly with overlapping powers was a slap in the face. Jayawardena, the mastermind behind Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup glory, saw the writing on the wall.
“I cannot continue when the decision-making no longer aligns with my direction,” he wrote in a resignation letter.
He didn’t walk away. He was pushed… softly.
Silverwood Follows Suit: Exit Without Noise
Chris Silverwood had only just extended his contract when he decided to walk away. On paper, he left by choice. But insiders whisper otherwise. A lack of control, a disjointed squad, and an unsupportive environment left him disillusioned.
Under his leadership, Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup and were runners-up in the 2023 edition. But the team’s World Cup record was embarrassing: early exits in three major ICC events.
And so, another coach walked away, another name added to the endless list of those who failed to fix the Crumbling Empire of Sri Lankan Cricket.
History Repeats Itself: The Hathurusingha Disaster
This wasn’t the first time Sri Lanka placed its future in a coach’s hands. In 2017, Chandika Hathurusingha was hired with huge expectations. After a successful run with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka hoped he’d do the same magic here.
Instead, the team sank deeper. His stint ended months before the contract expired, a move symbolic of a board that panics before planning and fails to back its decisions.
1996 to 2011: When the Core Made the Coach
Sri Lanka’s golden age from 1996 to 2011 wasn’t built by coaching alone. The real architects were players: Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, Sangakkara, and Jayawardena. These men didn’t need a coach to breathe fire into them they were fire themselves.
Dav Whatmore, Tom Moody, Trevor Bayliss they guided, but the team carried itself.
And that’s where today’s team lacks: there’s no core, no heartbeat. Just a collection of players playing cricket without passion or pride.
No Heroes, Just Hashtags
Today’s cricketers seem to focus more on social media presence than performance. While Virat Kohli balances Instagram fame with intense work ethic, Sri Lankan players chase the former and ignore the latter.
Some look like gym models. Others play like weekend warriors. Without discipline, Sri Lanka has turned into a training ground for mediocrity. There’s no hunger, no pain, no fury the very fuel that once made this island nation a giant-slayer.
This is the heart of the Crumbling Empire of Sri Lankan Cricket: an unmotivated team wearing a legacy they didn’t earn and clearly can’t uphold.
The Boardroom Circus: Where Legends Are Pawns
Behind every failure is a chaotic boardroom. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) continues to be a playground for political games. Coaching appointments, team selections, administrative decisions they all scream disorder.
Jayawardena was supposed to be a kingmaker, yet was treated like a pawn. Silverwood was hired for long-term planning but not given the freedom to execute it. As long as SLC operates like a revolving door of ideas and ego, the Crumbling Empire of Sri Lankan Cricket will keep collapsing on itself.
What the Future Holds: A Bitter Truth
This isn’t just about failed World Cups or winless tours. This is about a nation losing its sporting identity. The only way forward is brutal honesty.
The players must work harder. The board must interfere less. And the country must stop expecting miracles from every new coach.
Without discipline, direction, and heart, no amount of strategy will save the team.
Because no amount of coaches, no foreign expertise, and no legendary return can rebuild the Crumbling Empire of Sri Lankan Cricket until its very foundation is re-laid.
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FAQ
Why did Mahela Jayawardena step down from his consultancy role with Sri Lanka Cricket?
Mahela Jayawardena stepped down due to disagreements with the Sri Lanka Cricket board’s recent decision-making. He felt the direction had changed from the original vision he helped build, making it unfair and inappropriate for him to continue.
What were the key achievements during the Jayawardena–Silverwood era?
During their tenure, Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup and reached the final of the 2023 edition. However, they faced disappointing first-round exits in three ICC events two T20 World Cups and one ODI World Cup.
Why has Sri Lanka struggled to find success after 2015?
Sri Lanka has struggled due to the absence of a strong core group of players like those in the past (e.g., Sangakkara, Jayawardena, Muralitharan). Frequent coaching changes, boardroom politics, and a lack of discipline among current players have further deepened the crisis.
Is the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) responsible for the downfall?
While players and coaches share responsibility, the SLC’s inconsistent decisions, power struggles, and political interference have played a major role in weakening Sri Lanka’s cricketing foundation.
