Decline in talent, lack of passion saddens me: Muralitharan on Sri Lankan cricket

Sri Lanka veteran cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan believes that quality of talent is a serious concern, a reflection of which is the performance of the Sri Lankan cricket team over the past couple of years

Sri Lanka veteran cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan expressed his sadness on decline of Sri Lankan cricket, saying he feels paucity of talent and lack of passion among the current generation players is to be blamed if a nation that has reached the World Cup final three times is not able to perform well on an international level.

Sri Lanka has been losing to all Test playing nations whether at home or away.

The veteran believes that the new generation players are more focused on material gains rather than working on improving their game.

"I have not been associated with Sri Lankan cricket ever since I retired. The decline of Sri Lankan cricket saddens me. For a team that had reached the World Cup final three times and has a proud cricketing culture, it is a worrying sign," Muralitharan told reporters here on Saturday.

"In my playing days, money wasn't the criterion. In the 90s, there wasn't much money. Our passion was to take wickets and score runs. That passion has changed a bit. If players are in pursuit of money, the standard of cricket goes down.

"As a player, you should think about your game and not so much the money because if you perform well, money and recognition will follow," Muralitharan said. 

Quality of talent is also a serious concern, a reflection of which is the performance of the national team over the past couple of years.

 "Sri Lanka of late hasn't produced enough talent. In the last three to four years, the talent is lacking. Even when the talent is spotted, they don't know how to play. Coaches don't make cricketers. Coaches can only tell you the basics. It then boils down to the effort of an individual and his desire to succeed," said owner of 800 Test wickets.

Asked if he would be interested in a role in Sri Lankan cricket, Murali answered in negative.

"I don't think I have the time to take on the job of a consultant or a mentor of Sri Lanka on a full-time basis. I am not interested in taking up any role as I am involved with IPL.

(With PTI inputs)