MUMBAI: Amidst speculation as to whether Sri Lankan cricketers will go back home next month to train for an upcoming international series, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has said that he and his teammates, playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will have to abide by the decision taken by their Cricket Board regarding returning home midway from the Twenty20 league for a tour of England.
"We have a tour of England happening by the end of May. I think the Board will start calling us back. I am not sure if it is going to be May 5 or not. It is up to the BCCI and SLC to negotiate on this (date of return). What we as players can do is to abide by the decision of our Board. I hope the players would be communicated after a decision is taken by the BCCI and SLC. We have to abide by that".
He is the captain of the Deccan Chargers franchise. Asked about who could replace him as the skipper if he had to go back early, he noted: "In T20 cricket anyone can replace a player. No one is indispensable. It is not a great deal. Cameron White, who is the vice-captain, is also back. Moreover, there are a lot of other great international and local players in the side."
Earlier Sri Lanka‘s Sports minister Mahinadananda Althugamage said that he wanted the cricketers to put the national side over the IPL. "In future, national cricket players can participate in foreign tournaments only in a manner that will not affect practices of the Sri Lankan national team".
Eleven Sri Lankan players are taking part in the IPL.
