Even though it’s usually an accurate reflection of a team’s tempo, form guide may be deceptive at times. In the 16 ODIs leading up to the 2023 World Cup, Sri Lanka has lost only to India (twice), but that impressive run includes an undefeated campaign at the Qualifying event, where the competition wasn’t even close to being as fierce as what they’re about to face in the next five weeks.
However, they have showed moxie, they have shown promise in huge matches, and they have won games that nobody gave them a chance to win. Just look at the valiant effort they put out without their best XI to win a last-ball thriller and eliminate Pakistan from the Asia Cup 2023.
In the absence of some more recognized stars, Sri Lanka’s aspirations will rely heavily on the play of young players like Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana, who have been excellent in their brief international careers thus far. Even with skipper Dasun Shanaka’s present slump, the top six batsmen have the potential to be dangerous.
With vice-captain Kusal Mendis in fine form (he has hit two 90s and another 50 in the Asia Cup alone), this team has a top three that can compete with anybody. However, Kusal Perera is that aggressive leader, despite the fact that the coaching staff is understandably on edge due to an injury scare a week before the team’s season opener. They are in good hands with Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka. That deep of a batting order will serve them well if Shanaka, too, can rediscover his peak form at the appropriate moment and adopt the traditional role of power-hitting finisher.
Is Sri Lanka now the underdog? The honest answer is no. It was likely an exception, but it also showed how inconsistent their record is that they were bowled out for 50 in the Asia Cup final against India in their own circumstances. Sri Lanka, at best, is the potential banana peel that the pack of contenders in the middle must avoid.
When star players like all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and bowler Dushmantha Chameera were forced to miss the cut for Sri Lanka’s final World Cup roster due to injury, it dealt a severe blow to the team’s hopes of doing well. No matter how you slice it, Sri Lanka has proven match-winners who can beat any competition on their day, but as a team they lack the firepower to go all the way. While it’s true that playing in India would be very comfortable, it’s safe to say that this Sri Lankan squad will consider their season a success if they can pull off a couple of upsets early on and still be in the hunt for a playoff spot by the end.
Team:(c) Dasun Shanaka, (vc) Kusal Mendis, (wk) Kusal Perera, (wk) Pathum Nissanka, (wk) Dimuth Karunaratne, (wk) Sadeera Samarawickrama, (wk) Charith Asalanka, (wk) Dhananjaya de Silva, (wk) Dushan Hemantha, (wk) Maheesh Theeks
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhanajaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, and Matheesh Theekshana make up the probable XI.
Without their top spinner Hasaranga, who took 22 wickets in the Qualifier to help earn Sri Lanka’s World Cup place, the island nation would be unable to compete as a true dark horse in the tournament. Sri Lanka, despite the circumstances, may select a spin-heavy XI with just two seamers since spin is still their greatest strength. They benefit from playing two games at each of Delhi and Lucknow’s slow tracks.
Key Players:
Pathum Nissanka
While the Sri Lankan opener struggled mightily at the just-concluded Asia Cup 2023, he has generally been quite reliable with the bat during his One-Day International career. His nine fifties and three hundreds have all come in the previous 19 months, giving him an average of over 53 since the beginning of 2022 (excluding the Asia Cup).
Marquee Match
Pakistan was knocked out of the Asia Cup final by Sri Lanka due to the latter’s habit of surprising everyone. Sri Lanka would be in excellent shape for the rest of the tournament if they were to repeat their performance from the first game of the league round. This rematch is appealing for both teams because Pakistan will be eager for revenge after losing a thrilling encounter that was essentially a semi-final.
Giant Killing Potential
Sri Lanka, an Asian squad, may have a shot at an upset victory against Australia in Lucknow due to the sluggish pace of the course.
Full league stage schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 7 | South Africa | Delhi | 2 PM IST |
| October 10 | Pakistan | Hyderabad | 2 PM IST |
| October 16 | Australia | Lucknow | 2 PM IST |
| October 21 | Netherlands | Lucknow | 10:30 AM IST |
| October 26 | England | Bengaluru | 2 PM IST |
| October 30 | Afghanistan | Pune | 2 PM IST |
| November 2 | India | Mumbai | 2 PM IST |
| November 6 | Bangladesh | Delhi | 2 PM IST |
| November 9 | New Zealand | Bengaluru | 2 PM IST |
