Sri Lanka, with a mix of experienced campaigners like Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis and complemented by emerging talents like Dunith Wellalage, will be no pushovers in the ODI World Cup 2023 and can be the dark horse in the tournament, considering that they will be playing in familiar conditions. Despite needing to play the qualifying round for the World Cup, Sri Lanka reached the Asia Cup final, defeating second ranked Pakistan, though they were then skittled for 50 by India.
Sri Lanka, who were world champions in 1996 and reached consecutive finals in 2007 and 2011, go into the tournament following the retirement of their stalwart Lasith Malinga. The Dasun Shanaka-led side have an inexperienced but strong spin-bowling department that can turn the match on their day even though injury to their star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is a serious blow.
In the 2015 World Cup, Sri Lanka crashed out in the quarter-final, and in 2019, they missed out on the semi-final. How will they fare this time?
Here is a SWOT analysis of the Sri Lankan team ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup:
STRENGTHS
Sri Lanka went into the Asia Cup final after registering their longest winning streak in ODI history (13 matches) before their catastrophic collapse for 50 runs against India. Before the match, Sri Lanka dismissed the opposition in 14 consecutive matches, a streak that was largely built on their spin attack.
Spinners like Maheesh Theekshana (Lanka’s top wicket-taker this year), Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva will be a force to reckon with in the spin-friendly Indian pitches and have the ability to deliver match-winning performances. Moreover, the middle and death-overs bowling of Matheesha Pathirana, nicknamed ‘Baby Malinga’ due to a similar slingy action, has been a vital new addition to the side. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka, who can swing the new ball at pace, also has the ability to trouble batsmen.
While Sri Lanka’s batters have blown hot and cold in recent years, Charith Asalanka at number 5 has impressed pundits with his ability to find boundaries in the middle of the innings. Not to forget, his offbreaks can also be a boon on drier pitches.
WEAKNESSES
Sri Lanka’s batters have not been in the best of form for quite some time now and their consistency will be a major cause for concern, especially following their performance in the Asia Cup final. The scoring rates of their batters through the innings have been frequently poor and their brittle middle order have rarely put up consistent performances together.
However, all eyes will be on Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer in ODIs this year, and Kusal Mendis.
Another area of concern is their captain Dasun Shanaka miserable form. According to ESPNcricinfo, Shanaka, since the start of the World Cup Qualifier, averages a paltry 6.60 with a strike rate of 57.39. The numbers are a cause for concern as Shanaka will play the role of finisher, with Hasaranga not available for the tournament.
OPPORTUNITIES
Sri Lanka enter the muti-nation showpiece event as underdogs who can upset big teams on any given day. With the side playing maximum number of games in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Delhi, which are known for their slow and turning nature, Sri Lanka will fancy their chances to sneak into the top four.
Besides, Sri Lanka have an outstanding record in tournaments held in the sub-continent, emerging as champions in the 1996 World Cup and runner-up in the 2011 edition.
THREATS
In recent years, Sri Lanka has been hit by frequent injuries to key players, disrupting their team combinations. For the World Cup too, spinner Maheesh Theekshana is returning from a hamstring injury and Madushanka is just back from a torn oblique muscle. Their frontline pacer Lahiru Kumara missed the entire Asia Cup with a side strain and has a history of suffering injuries in middle of tournaments.
Sri Lanka ODI World Cup squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kusal Mendis (vice capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara.
Travelling reserve: Chamika Karunaratne
Sri Lanka World Cup Fixtures
Titles: 1996 World Cup
Prediction: Sri Lanka go into the tournament as a dark horse and is capable of pulling off upsets in the round-robin stage and sneak into the top four. But a lot will depend on the performance of their batters.
