Zeenews Bureau
Colombo, Feb 11: Apparently stung by the stinging defeat Sri Lanka faced from India, coupled with his own miserable form off-late, Mahela Jayawardene announced that he would resign as captain after the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan.
Jayawardene was, earlier dropped from Sri Lanka’s team for the Twenty20 clash against India. Tillakaratne Dilshan had stepped in for Jayawardene.
"In the best interests of the Sri Lanka team, I have decided to stand down as Sri Lanka captain after this Pakistan tour," Jayawardene said in a statement. "This is something I have been considering for some time as it has been my long-held belief that my successor should have at least 18 months in the job to imprint his vision on the team for the 2011 World Cup.”
"After much thought, I have concluded that the right time has now come for fresh leadership to takeover. It was not an easy decision to make because being the Sri Lanka captain has been the source of enormous pride. I am very grateful to have been granted the honour of leading the team during the last three years.”
“I would like to extend a special thank-you to my team-mates for making the job so easy and fulfilling, to the Sri Lanka Cricket officials and selectors who placed their faith in me, and to family, friends and fans who have provided so much support. I look forward now to extending my full support to my successor and hope to play a major part in the team`s success during coming years as a batsman."
Jayawardene’s resignation brings curtains to his 3 year spell at the helm that started with a 5-0 white-wash of England in 2006.
