Marvan Atapattu steps down as Sri Lanka coach after series loss against India

New Delhi: Following their 1-2 series loss to Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team in the recently concluded three-match Test series, Marvan Atapattu on Thursday stepped down as the coach of the national cricket team.

His resignation was confirmed by Sri Lankan cricket board through their official Twitter account.

Marvan Atapattu has tendered his resignation letter from the post of Head Coach of Sri Lanka Cricket Team which has been accepted by SLC. — Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) September 3, 2015

The Board also issued a media release which said, "We would like to inform you of the resignation of Mr. Marvan Atapattu from the post of Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team which has been accepted by Sri Lanka Cricket."

Atapattu was appointed as the head coach in October 2014, previously serving as the Batting Coach to the team from 2011 and as Interim Head Coach for a brief period from April 2014 after Paul Farbrace resigned.

The release also added that under his tenure, Sri Lanka won a series against England in England in May/June 2014 which was certainly one of the high points.

The Angelo Mathews-led side are undergoing a transition phase and are short of match-winners since the retirement of legendary duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

After winning the first Test from a losing position, Sri Lanka failed miserably against an all-round India, losing the remaining two matches, which also ended their 22-year intact at home against India.