Sri Lankan players have not been signed for the Indian Premier League 2021. A very few Sri Lankan players have been signed in recent auctions as well.

Sri Lanka cricket legend Mahela Jayawardena told cricinfo that most of the overseas shopping at this year’s auction was reserved for allrounders and quicks, and Sri Lanka does not produce enough of those players.

Mahela Jayawardena, who is the coach of the Mumbai Indians team in the IPL Franchise, said at present it is disheartening, but he believes the younger generation will come through in time.

“IPL is a place where you try and get the best players in world cricket to come and play,” he said.

Jayawardena added that “this is a good message for the Sri Lankan players to lift their game and get competitive, so they could be part of the IPL on their merit”.

He however jokingly said “I think we still have the representation, so we’re happy,” hinting at his and Sri Lanka cricket great Sangakkara’s involvement in the IPL tournament.

“So it adds a bit of volatility that franchises kind of shy away from. That is one of the big reasons why you see a lack of Sri Lanka players in the IPL and definitely not because they don’t have the capability,” added the former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper and captain.