Sri Lanka in England 2011

Boards in talks over Dilshan's IPL release date

Nagraj Gollapudi

April 26, 2011

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	Dilshan could be saying an early goodbye to Bangalore © AFP Enlarge
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Confusion reigns over Tillakaratne Dilshan's return from the IPL to join the Sri Lanka squad for the tour of England with the first warm-up match starting on May 14, a three-day fixture against Middlesex. Dilshan, who was appointed Sri Lanka captain in all three formats once Kumar Sangakkara stepped down after the World Cup, wanted to join the rest of the squad in advance, even as early as "May 10", but it is understood that the decision is not solely his own. Incidentally, the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket board are in talks about Dilshan's release date and a decision is expected in the next few days.

Dilshan himself told ESPNcricinfo, "I am not aware (of the exact date). Both boards are still talking." He was speaking hours before his team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore's clash against Delhi Daredevils. Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishanta Ranatunga also confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Dilshan's departure was still uncertain. "We are not yet clear and are in talks with the BCCI and should expect a date in a day possibly," he said.

Dilshan is keen to depart for England at the earliest because this will be his first big assignment as Test captain and he wanted to get a chance to mix with the rest of his players, a majority of whom are inexperienced. Also with Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene only joining the squad in time for Sri Lanka's second practice match against the England Lions on May 19, Dilshan felt his early presence was necessary.

"Dilshan had expressed the desire to travel with the nation team on May 10 considering some of the senior players are getting a bit late and this squad is a new squad and inexperienced. So he felt it was good to go with the team. But that is only possible if Sri Lanka Cricket is able to obtain a release from the BCCI," Roshan Abeyasinghe, Dilshan's manager informed ESPNcricinfo. Ranatunga added that all seven Sri Lankan players who were participating in the IPL would stick to the deadline of May 19 recently agreed on between the SLC and the BCCI.

Even Dilshan's franchise is unaware about the Lankan's exit from the IPL. "You will have to contact the Sri Lankan Cricket board," Siddhartha Mallya, Bangalore's owner said. Dilshan, who was bought at the auction for $650,000, has been a subdued presence with just one half-century in five matches.

Meanwhile it is understood that both Sangakkara and Jayawardene have found support from their respective franchises on their decision to leave for the England tour mid-May. Jayawardene, captain at Kochi Tuskers, would fly immediately after the match against Rajasthan Royals on May 15. Sangakkara, who is in charge of Deccan Chargers, would leave a day later, after the game against Pune Warriors.

Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo