Dilshan issue causes IPL flutter

The possibility of newly-appointed Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan leaving a week earlier than agreed for the country’s players in the IPL created a flutter on Monday. HT reports.

The possibility of newly-appointed Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan leaving a week earlier than agreed for the country’s players in the IPL created a flutter on Monday.

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While the Sri Lankan and Indian boards had agreed on the seven players staying on until May 18 before the island’s cricketers join the team on the England tour, a report from Colombo quoted Dilshan’s manager as saying he was keen to leave on May 10 to join the squad and play a mentoring role as the other seniors would join later.

A Royal Challengers Bangalore insider hinted the team, struggling in the league, would try to ensure their key top order batsman stayed back as long as possible. Dilshan will turn out for the Royal Challengers against the Delhi Daredevils in the Capital on Tuesday.

Although the RCB, like other teams, will have to abide by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directives, the official hoped that with the two boards having already sorted out the issue amicably last week, it would not have to be reopened afresh.