Dasun Shanaka Calls for Government Action on Player Mental Health Following World Cup Exit
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has issued an urgent plea for government intervention to shield cricketers from aggressive public criticism following the team’s elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Citing the detrimental impact of “outside noise” on the squad’s mental health, Shanaka argued that the hostile environment created by detractors hampers performance and requires official regulation.
Plea for Mental Health Protection
Following heavy defeats to New Zealand and England in the Super 12 stage, Shanaka addressed the media with a specific request directed at state authorities. He emphasized that the volume of negativity directed at the team goes beyond standard sports criticism, affecting the psychological state of the players.
“As players, it’s very hard for us to control the outside noise. Most of the time, we mainly hear negative stuff, so no matter how positive we are, there is a negative environment created from the outside,” Shanaka stated.
He suggested that legislative or regulatory interference is necessary to protect the next generation of Sri Lanka Cricket talent. “At least for the players coming up next, if the government could interfere and stop those, I believe that will be a great help for better mental health.”
Tournament Performance and Fitness Issues
Sri Lanka’s campaign ended with significant losses, highlighting gaps in physical conditioning and adaptation to Australian conditions. Shanaka admitted that the team’s fitness standards lagged behind top-tier nations.
Key Super 12 Results
| Opponent | Result | Key Margin |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Loss | 65 runs |
| England | Loss | 4 wickets |
“I don’t think the physical fitness is up to the maximum level. We had about four to five injuries, and other teams are way ahead of us in fitness,” Shanaka explained, noting that while not an excuse, the injury toll severely impacted team balance. He also cited unexpected pitch behavior as a contributing factor to the batting collapses witnessed against New Zealand.
Accountability and Future Outlook
Despite the call for protection from external criticism, Shanaka accepted responsibility for the on-field results. He offered a direct apology to the supporters who expected a deeper run in the tournament.
“We feel very sorry about this. The England match was also a match we could have won if we were more sensible. For the spectators, I don’t have anything to tell. We have not given them any win they can be happy about,” he said.
Regarding his tenure as captain, Shanaka deferred to the national selectors. “I have no idea how long I will be the captain. It’s decided by the selectors. I have made good decisions and mistakes, but I’m happy I had this opportunity.”