The 15-person Sri Lanka team has been formally unveiled for the ODI World Cup 2023, which will be held in India, the home of cricket. The island nation has managed to put together a team that is ready to leave its imprint on the biggest stage of them all despite the choppy seas of injury setbacks affecting some of their key players.
Dasun Shanaka assumes the role of captain, putting to rest rumors and skepticism as he leads the Sri Lankan team into the main competition.
However, there are still unanswered questions about the health of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dilshan Madhushanka. The Sri Lankan management clarified the situation and emphasized that their ability to participate depends on their physical health.
Theekshana is battling a difficult Grade 2 hamstring injury, Hasaranga is coping with a sizable Grade 3 hamstring rupture, and Madhushanka is coping with an oblique muscle tear she acquired during practice.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has wisely designated two reserves to go with the team to the 2023 World Cup in case of any last-minute emergencies. Dushan Hemantha, whose last ODI appearance was against India on September 17 at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, and Chamika Karunaratne, whose last ODI appearance was on March 31, 2023 against New Zealand in Hamilton, are entrusted with the critical duty of acting as backup.
The difficult World Cup voyage of Sri Lanka
It has not been an easy road for Sri Lanka to get to the World Cup. To earn its desired spot in the major competition, the team had to successfully negotiate the treacherous waters of World Cup qualifiers. Sri Lanka won the qualification final in Harare alongside the Netherlands, securing their trip to India. On October 7, at the venerable Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, the Sri Lankan lions will roar into action when they face South Africa in the opening match of their World Cup campaign.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup Squad: Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis (VC) (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith, Dimuth Karunaratna, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana and Lahiru Kumara, Wanindu Hasaranga*, Maheesh Theekshana*, and Dilshan Madhushanka*.
Dushan Hemantha and Chamika Karunaratne are reserve players.
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