Sri Lanka's Cricket World Cup Squad Preview

If Sri Lanka manage to win more than 3 matches in the World Cup, even the die-hard fans should be satisfied considering how weak their team is this year.

28.24 is a number no Sri-Lankan fan would enjoy to hear. It is the win percentage of SriLanka in the ODI format post the 2015 World Cup. It is a very discouraging number for any Sri Lankan fan but that's the brand of cricket they have been playing.  When we talk of Sri Lanka, we talk of the Kumar Sangakarra’s and the Mahela Jayawardene’s. Apart from Angelo Mathews, there seems to be no standout player in the current squad and out of the 28.24% of matches Sri Lanka have won Angelo Mathews has contributed in almost each and every one of them. Post the 2015 World Cup SriLanka have tried 8 captains, Dimuth Karunratne being the 8th. Dimuth had only played 1 ODI between the 2015 and 2019 World Cup and just weeks before the World Cup started he gets a call up to be the captain of the side. It shows that they are completely out of options. Not only with the captaincy but also with the players. Sri Lanka has tried 57 players post the 2015 World Cup out of which 28 were debutants. Sri Lanka is no longer able to replicate the brand of cricket they used to play and this World Cup serves as a perfect platform for them to turn around their fortunes.

Their squad is not a very impressive one, but they have players that have immense talent but are not able to convert it into big performances. At the top, they have captain Dimuth Karunratne and Lahiru Thirimanne. If Sri Lanka has any chance of achieving a high total their openers will have to give a solid start. With Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and Angelo Mathews to follow at number 3, 4 and 5, the Sri Lankan fans will hope these 3 can play out most of the overs and pile up the runs. Dhananjay de Silva at number 6 has not looked impressive at all. He is struggling with runs but with no option available in the squad he will be forced to play. 

Thisara Perera and Jeevan Mendis at number 7 and 8 will handle the finishing department. Both pack a punch and can clear the boundary ropes and can accumulate quick runs in the slog overs. The biggest positive for Sri Lanka has been the return of  Isuru Udana. His cutters and different variations are proving to be mightily effective. Not only with the ball but with the bat he can tonk the ball to all parts of the ground. Veteran Lasith Malinga and experienced Suranga Lakmal will take the last 2 spots on the side. Nuwan Pradeep is also available to them if either of the two bowlers sustains an injury. 

Probable playing xi - 

Dimuth Karunratne(c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjay de Silva, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga

Interesting facts about the Sri Lankan Cricket Team -

• Sri Lanka has dismissed Canada for the lowest total in World Cup history (36-10).

• Sri Lanka has the second most match losses in World Cup history (35).

• Sri Lanka were involved in the highest match aggregate with Australia in the 2015 World Cup (688-18 was the total runs scored and wickets taken).

My prediction - 

• Sri Lanka have been a very strong team over the years but they seem the weakest team heading into this World Cup. They might win 1 or 2 matches at maximum but more than that looks unlikely. I suspect they will finish 10th on the points table.