Sri Lanka’s squad for World Cup 2023 might be the most inexperienced side in any World Cup for a long time. Sri Lanka will want to repeat the heroics of 1996 when they become the cricket world cup champion at Lahore.
World cups in the sub-continent bring good memories for Sri Lanka since their emergence as a powerhouse in world cricket. They won the 1996 edition and reached the finals of the 2011 WC, which also took place in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 2023 World Cup Squad
Sri Lanka was hit a major blow just before the World Cup when their young all-rounder and premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the World Cup along with paceman Dushmatha Chameera.
Only two players, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera, in the Sri Lanka team for World Cup 2023 have played over 100 games, whereas Dimuth Karunaratne is closing on 100 games. All other players in the squad are inexperienced but highly rated on potential and skills.
Sri Lanka Captain in World Cup 2023
All-rounder Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead the side. He is in the side more because of his captaincy than his performance as a player. He is averaging 22 with the bat and has taken only 27 wickets in his 67-match ODI career.
Sri Lanka Batters in World Cup 2023
Two K’s Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera will lead Sri Lanka’s batting. Media is their most capped ODI player currently, whereas Perera has been in & out of the side recently, but his strike rate of 92 in ODI’s will help Sri Lanka to get a rapid start. As another opener, Pathum Nissanka is still young and takes some time to settle down.
To support the top three, Sri Lanka has Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka in the middle order.
Sri Lanka All-Rounders in World CUp 2023
Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva & Dunith Wellalage are the three genuine all-rounders, among many others, who can excel both with bat and ball. De Silva is the more experienced among the three, but Wellalage impressed all in the recently concluded Asia Cup. More importantly, De Silva and Wellalage both are spin bowling all-rounders, and conditions will suit them.
Sri Lanka Bowlers in 2023 World Cup
Bowling is the weak link in the Sri Lanka squad for World Cup 2023. Without Hasaranga and Chameera, they have promoted many youngsters to participate in the ODI World Cup. Theekshana and Pathirana are the two notables constantly playing in the T20 leagues. In contrast, Rajitah and Lahiru Kumara are the other two renowned names in the Sri Lanka World Cup team.
Sri Lanka Players List World Cup 2023
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.
