'We haven't adapted and the danger is irrelevance': Sangakkara reflects on SL's disappointing T20 WC exit
New Delhi, Feb 26
Former captain Kumar Sangakkara admitted there was 'a lot of hurt all round' after co-hosts Sri Lanka were knocked out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 following a heavy 61-run defeat to New Zealand in Colombo on Wednesday.
Reacting publicly after the elimination, Sangakkara acknowledged the emotional toll on players and supporters while warning that Sri Lanka must urgently evolve to remain competitive in modern cricket.
"There is a lot of hurt all round. The fans are devastated, disappointed, and 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 your people," Sangakkara wrote on X.
His remarks came after Sri Lanka's campaign ended in front of their home crowd at the R Premadasa Stadium, where they failed to recover from a middle-order collapse while chasing 169. Despite reducing New Zealand to 84/6 earlier, Sri Lanka lost control as Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie rebuilt the innings before Rachin Ravindra's match-defining 4-27 dismantled the hosts' chase.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Sangakkara stressed that Sri Lanka's struggles were not limited to a single match or tournament, pointing to deeper structural concerns.
"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," he wrote further.
Sri Lanka's exit after consecutive Super Eights defeats marked a disappointing outcome for a team that entered the tournament with expectations of leveraging home conditions.
With Sri Lanka, one of the co-hosting nations, out of contention, attention will now shift to the other host, India, who are also in a crucial position in their race to the semi-finals after losing their Super Eights opener to South Africa by 76 runs.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's always tough to see a host nation exit early. The pressure at home is immense. Feel for the players and fans. Sanga's words carry a lot of weight.
As an Indian fan, this is a stark warning for us too. We also rely heavily on a few stars. Our domestic structure needs to produce more all-round talent, not just batsmen or bowlers. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
The middle-order collapse is a familiar story, isn't it? Happens to so many teams. But Sanga pinpointing 'irrelevance' is harsh but necessary. They need a complete overhaul, from grassroots up.
Respect to Sangakkara for speaking so candidly. It's not easy for a legend to criticize his own system. Hope the Sri Lankan board listens. The 2014 T20 WC win feels like a long time ago.
True yaar. Cricket has become so fast. Look at England, Australia, even Afghanistan! They have clear plans. SL looks confused. Hope they find their way. Now all eyes on Team India! 💙
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