Jarrod Kimber, Shayan Ahmad Khan
Sri Lanka won the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2014. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara finally had their crowning moment after losing two ODI World Cup finals (2007, 2011) and two T20 World Cup finals (2009, 2012). Since then, the island nation has not performed well in this tournament. They failed to make it to the semifinals in 2016, 2021 and 2022, exiting in the Super 10s in 2016 and the Super 12s in 2021 and 2022.
Sri Lanka have made eight changes to their squad from the last edition. Sadeera Samawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara and Dunith Wellalage make the cut, as do the pace duo of Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka. Chameera and Madushanka were part of the 2022 squad but had withdrawn. Meanwhile Ashen Bandara, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, and Jeffrey Vandersay miss out.
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are expected to open the batting. Mendis has scored 495 runs in 15 T20I innings at a strike rate of 151 between the two T20 World Cups. In the same time period, Nissanka has scored 216 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 129.
Sadeera Samawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka are some of the options to bat at numbers three, four and five. Samawickrama has 199 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 122, de Silva has 166 runs in 10 innings at an average of less than 20 and a strike rate under 130. Asalanka has done better, scoring 329 runs in 13 innings at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 143. Kamindu Mendis has 133 runs in four innings, averaging 44 at a strike rate of 145.
Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are likely to don the finishersâ hat in this setup. Mathews made a comeback to the national side after three years. Since his return in January 2024, he has scored 206 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 137 while batting at six and seven. Shanaka has scored 240 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 164 in this T20 World Cup cycle.
Wanindu Hasaranga will lead the team. While his bowling is naturally his main suite, his batting could prove to be a valuable asset too. Hasaranga has scored 177 runs in 12 T20I innings at a strike rate of 170 after the last T20 World Cup. He can also float up the order if required.
Sri Lankaâs bowling unit is very good on paper. The only caveat is that they have not had a lot of game time as a unit due to injuries.
They have variety in their spin attack with Hasarangaâs legspin, Maheesh Theekshanaâs mystery spin, and Dunith Wellalageâs left-arm finger spin. Hasaranga has picked up 18 wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 7.46, while Theekshana has taken 13 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.06 after the last T20 World Cup. Hasaranga primarily bowls in the middle overs with an occasional over at the death, while Theekshana bowls in all phases of the innings.
Wellalage is yet to make his T20I debut, but his T20 career record is 34 wickets at an economy of 7.01. He has been picked on his potential, as explained by chairman of selectors Upul Tharanga at a media briefing after the announcement of the squad
âThere could be a chance that we play three spinners sometimes. Looking at that is why we picked Dunith, particularly with his batting, because sometimes we could go with him ahead of a fast-bowling allrounder. As a left-arm spinner, he could be a powerplay option too,â Tharanga said.
Sri Lanka also have the services of the ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis, who bowls right arm offbreak and left-arm finger spin. Dhananjaya de Silva and Asalanka can also bowl some part time offspin.
As far as pace is concerned, they have one of the best strike bowlers in T20s in Pathirana. He has picked up 11 wickets in just five T20Is at an economy of 9.21 after the last T20 World Cup. He bowls in the middle and at the death. Although Chameera has played only three matches in this duration due to injuries, he bowls in all phases.
Madushanka is primarily a new ball bowler, but he can also bowl in the middle and death overs. However, he has taken eight wickets in eight matches at an economy of 10.69. Nuwan Thushara has taken nine wickets in only four matches, conceding 8.53 runs per over. He is most effective in the powerplay. They could also use Mathews with the new ball, who has picked up seven wickets in 18.2 overs at an economy of 8.34 this year, while Shanaka can also contribute.
Their most balanced XI would be: Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Samarawickrama, Asalanka, Mathews, â Shanaka, Hasaranga (floater), â Chameera, Theekshana, â Pathirana.
If they want to go spin-heavy, they can bench Chameera and include Wellalage.
Another option is to go with only one of the allrounders. The XI in that case would be: Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Samarawickrama, Asalanka, Mathews/Shanaka, Hasaranga (floater), Wellalage, Chameera, Theekshana, â Pathirana. In this combination, there are three frontline spinners and two part-timers. If they want to bat deep, they could bench Chameera and include Wellalage here too. They could also start with Dhananjaya de Silva in place of Samawickrama.
If the conditions demand more pacers, they could field this XI: Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Samarawickrama, Asalanka, Mathews, â Shanaka, Hasaranga (floater), â Chameera, Pathirana, and one of Thushara or Madushanka. This means there are three frontline seamers, along with Mathews and Shanaka chipping in with a couple of overs.
On paper, Sri Lanka have a bowling attack that can make a difference at the T20 World Cup. They do have some good batters, but they do not match the firepower of some of the top sides in the world.
