Malinga, Murali, Sanga: Will Sri Lanka issue affect IPL?

It’s an all too familiar story… India’s political problems with other countries have always spilled onto sport, and the troubles with Sri Lanka now threaten to affect the IPL. CNN-IBN reports claimed that Sri Lankan players may be asked to stay away from matches at Chennai —where a strong anti-SL sentiment is brewing due to the alleged human rights violations and atrocities on Tamil people in the aftermath of the war. Given that Kalanithi Maran, who is the grand-nephew of DMK chief Karunanidi is the owner of the Hyderabad franchise, Kumara Sangakkara might find himself in a spot. [caption id=“attachment_666966” align=“alignleft” width=“385”]  Mumbai Indians’ star player Lasith Malinga may not play in matches hosted at Chennai. AFP[/caption] The city is slated to host 10 matches of IPL’s sixth edition, and eight of the nine teams have Sri Lankan players on their roster. This means players like Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara may not play at Chennai. Here’s a list of all the Sri Lankan players who have signed up to play in the money-spinning Twenty20 tournament. Chennai Super Kings: Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Kulasekara. Delhi Daredevils: Jeevan Mendis, Mahela Jayawardene. Kolkata Knight Riders: Sachithra Senanayake. Mumbai Indians: Lasith Malinga. Pune Warriors India: Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews. Rajasthan Royals: Kusal Janith Perera Royal Challengers Bangalore: Muttiah Muralitharan, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kumar Sangakkara, Thisara Perera. Note: There are no Sri Lankan players in the Kings XI Punjab squad.