Sri Lanka find themselves in unfamiliar territory. They have a legacy of destroying weaker sides at the big stage. And yet, here they are, worrying about the match-ups against Ireland, Namibia and Netherlands in order to enter the Super 12s in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
The champions in 2014 and the only side to have played three finals in the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka’s transitional period has been full of struggles.
While the retirements of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Thisara Perera have left them barren, the suspension of three rising stars has further dented their recovery.
Their wins in Oman and the warm-up matches will give them confidence heading into the big stage. However, they will have to improve multifold to make an impact in the tournament.
Sri Lanka’s squad for 2021 T20 World Cup
Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva (vc), Kusal Perera (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando
Head coach: Mickey Arthur (Mahela Jayawardene as consultant)
T20 World Cup Editions Participated: All six editions since 2007
Best T20 World Cup results: Champions in 2014; Runners-up in 2009 and 2012.
ICC T20I Ranking: 10
SWOT analysis
Strengths: Sri Lanka’s journey lately has been disappointing, to say the least. They still start favourites in their group to make it to the Super 12s. They have a few world-class cricketers in Hasaranga, Chandimal, Chameera and Perera.
Mahela Jayawardene’s addition to the support staff is a big boost. For example, Avishka Fernando had not registered a fifty in 21 T20Is. A data-driven insight from Jayawardene saw the opener drop to No. 4, and he responded with 83*, 33, 62* and 61 in the warm-up matches and the tour of Oman, striking at over 153.
“With Avishka, we know that after 15 balls, he strikes at 160. It was just getting Avishka to those 15 balls. Up front he just puts himself under a little bit of pressure in terms of dot balls. So when he’s come in at No. 4, generally the field has been back, which has allowed him to rotate strike and got him into the innings. Which gets him to the point where once he gets in, he’s almost unstoppable. We sort of tinkered with it and tried it, and touch wood, it’s worked so far. Let’s hope that continues through the tournament,” said Arthur after Fernando's successful run at No.4.
Spin would be a crucial component in these conditions. In Hasaranga, Theekshana and Dananjaya, Sri Lanka have a decent spin attack.
Though their batting has been brittle, if the top-order comes good, they have enough depth to make the starts count.
Weakness: Struggling to return to the track, the suspensions of Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella during the England tour have dented their recovery.
Sri Lanka have done well against lesser teams, but they have clearly been exposed by quality opponents. They have won just three of their 12 T20Is this year, and their only series win came against an already depleted Indian side that had became even more depleted following a Covid-19 case in the camp.
Sri Lanka’s T20I batting record (average of 15.7 at a strike rate of 104) is the worst among all the full-member nations since 2020.
Opportunity: Arjuna Ranatunga’s men surprised the world in 1996, and since then, Sri Lanka have been a force in ICC tournaments. This is an opportunity for the ranked 10th Sri Lankan side to restore its past pride. They may have hit the lowest ebb and the journey hereon can only be upward.
Fernando, Karunaratne and Asalanka have exhibited enough brilliance in their short career. Here is their opportunity to announce themselves on the highest platform.
Looking at it realistically, even a finish in the middle of the Super 12s would be a good result for the current Sri Lankan side.
Threats: Sri Lanka are stacked against competitive sides like Ireland and Netherlands in Group A. Namibia’s recent run has been inspiring too. Sri Lanka have a new captain, an unsettled team and compared to their opponents, they may be a bigger team, but their cumulative experience is less than the other three sides.
Sri Lanka have a massive fan base with a burden of great expectations. The pressure is immense, and if they to qualify to the Super 12s, there could be severe repercussions.
Sri Lanka’s likely XI: Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana
Sri Lanka's Fixtures:
- Monday, 18 October: Sri Lanka vs Namibia, Abu Dhabi
- Wednesday, 20 October: Sri Lanka vs Ireland, Abu Dhabi
- Friday, 22 October: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands, Sharjah