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Colombo, July 18: Former Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga is toying with the idea of entering politics like his father and elder brother, a weekend newspaper has reported today.

The ace batsman, who led the Sri Lankan side to victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup and was described as ``Captain Cool'', has been quoted as saying that he might leap into the political arena after his retirement from cricket. Selectors sacked Ranatunga and appointed opener Sanath Jayasuriya as the new captain of the team.

``Right now my interest is in cricket. But after my retirement I might enter the political arena. After all, my father and brother are politicians, and my father's blood runs in me too,'' the newspaper quoted Ranatunga as saying.

Ranatunga, who has been labelled 'Napoleon' by his detractors, said that though his father and brother are in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the largest constituent of the ruling People's Alliance, he had not decided which party he would join. ``It is too early for me to decide. I am still studying politics,'' he said.

Ranatunga's father, Mr. Reggie Ranatunga, is a deputy minister in the federal government, while his brother, Mr. Prasanna Ranatunga was a deputy minister in Sri Lanka's western province till recently. He was dropped from the ministry after the provincial elections held in April.

Following the disappointing performance of the team at the recent World Cup in England, Ranatunga has attracted severe criticism from various quarters. The federal sports minister had demanded his resignation, blaming him for the team's poor showing.

Last week, Ranatunga and his deputy Aravinda de Silva, who has been replaced by young Mahela Jayawardena, participated in a marathon 'open house' discussion to clear doubts in the minds of the people. Defending the team, Ranatunga said that he was prepared to accept the responsibility for the World Cup debacle.

Referring to former Pakistan captain Imran Khan's statement that Sri Lanka should have played the World Cup matches like five-day test matches, Ranatunga said that his team had adopted the same strategy but had failed to perform well. Mr. Khan had said that Sri Lanka should have scored slowly in first 20 overs and then gone for big hits instead of attempting to make runs in the first 15 overs.

``I think Arjuna is a good captain. He understands the game tactically. And he is a fighter; I respect him for that,'' Mr Khan said, expressing disappointment over the team's performance.

Ranatunga said that various strategies and tactics adopted during the World Cup failed as the overall performance of the team had slipped. The change in playing conditions was also responsible for the dismal performance, he said adding that the team could not add another pace bowler as there are not many in the country.

The interim committee administering the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) was apparently embarrassed by the Ranatunga-de Silva roundtable. In his interview to the weekend newspaper, Ranatunga has also expressed doubts about his being selected to play against Australia and India in the Test series and the triangular that begin next month.

However, the new captain Sanath Jayasuriya told Dawn that he wanted Ranatunga and de Silva to continue in the team. ``They are very experienced and we need them. I have spoken to them and I will speak to coach Dave Whatmore when he arrives here from England,'' he said.

Jayasuriya said that the team was working hard to face Australia and India. He said that that the team was watching video clippings to study the techniques adopted by Australian and Indian players. ``We are watching the Australians and Indians play. Everyone does it. After all, the others have got to know of my technique by watching video clips of my performance on the field,'' he said.