Sri Lankan Captain Dasun Shanaka urges government action over rising negativity around national team

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has urged government authorities to step in and address what he described as a growing culture of negativity surrounding the national cricket team, warning that it is affecting players’ mental well-being and the long-term future of the sport.

Speaking after Sri Lanka’s elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Shanaka acknowledged the team’s responsibility for the disappointing campaign but stressed that the persistent criticism from outside the dressing room has created a damaging atmosphere.

He explained that despite maintaining a constructive and united environment within the squad  with support from mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton during the tournament  players have struggled to block out the constant stream of negative commentary circulating publicly and across social media platforms.

According to Shanaka, even when players attempt to stay focused and optimistic, the broader environment remains dominated by criticism. He warned that such hostility does not contribute to solving underlying issues in Sri Lanka cricket, but instead places additional psychological pressure on the team.

The skipper questioned the prevailing culture of public fault-finding, pointing out that intense scrutiny and continuous criticism risk discouraging both current and emerging players. While conceding that the team understands the reasons behind its World Cup exit and shares public disappointment, he emphasized that constructive reform rather than relentless negativity is what is needed.

Shanaka made a direct appeal for government intervention, particularly to safeguard younger cricketers from the mental strain caused by public hostility. He said protective measures would help foster a healthier environment and support better mental resilience among the next generation of players.

Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals were ended on Tuesday (25) after a 61-run defeat to New Zealand in their Super 8 clash.

Dasun urges government action over rising negativity around national team - DailyNews