Sri Lanka’s T20 Revival: Can Charith Asalanka Lead the Charge?

Sri Lanka’s T20 Revival: Can Charith Asalanka Lead the Charge?

Sri Lanka has unveiled a fresh-look 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, starting on July 27th. Charith Asalanka takes the reins as captain, succeeding Wanindu Hasaranga who stepped down after the T20 World Cup.

This is not Charith Asalanka’s first time leading the charge. He previously captained Sri Lanka in two T20Is against Bangladesh and has experience guiding Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team to victory. He also led the Jaffna Kings to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) title this season.

The squad welcomes back the experienced batsman Dinesh Chandimal, who last played a T20I in early 2022. His impressive form in the LPL, scoring over 280 runs at a blistering strike rate, earned him a well-deserved recall.

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There are some surprising exclusions, with veteran Angelo Mathews missing out. However, there’s fresh talent waiting in the wings. Uncapped all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe has impressed with both bat and ball in the LPL, earning him a call-up.

Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, and Binura Fernando also make their return to the T20I setup. Perera and Fernando were standout performers in the LPL, showcasing their power-hitting abilities and adaptability in different batting positions. Their strong LPL showing makes their selection a popular choice.

The rest of the squad features familiar faces like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, and Wanindu Hasaranga. This core group provides a solid foundation for the batting lineup. The bowling attack boasts a good mix of experience and youth, with Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana and young spinner Dunith Wellalage leading the spin attack. Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera provide variety in the pace attack, with Dasun Shanaka and Chamindu Wickramasinghe offering additional bowling options.

This revamped Sri Lankan squad presents a well-rounded unit with a blend of experience, talent, and versatility. They will be looking to put on a strong showing against India in what promises to be an exciting three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, starting on July 27th.

This time, how Sri Lankan team will perform will depend on its team, The new captain Charith Asalanka has immense experience compared with the Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav.