The long arm of the IPL?

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections were held on Thursday but one rookie candidate was allowed to cast his vote a day early. Sanath Jayasuriya – a candidate of President Mahinda Rajapakse’s United People’s Freedom Alliance - cast his vote on Wednesday, to allow him to rejoin the Mumbai Indians for their game on Friday against Kings XI Punjab. They will welcome him back after the shock loss to Chennai on Tuesday and it’s a good opportunity for Jayasuriya, if he plays, to get among the runs. Which leaves one question: Was Jayasuriya’s early-bird vote due to his being in the ruling party or is it another example of the IPL’s all-powerful reach?

Before you go also read Andrew Fernado's piece on what it would be like if cricketers became politicians.