Kusal Mendis, the captain of Sri Lanka’s ODI team, feels that without the support of the people, cricket in Sri Lanka would have died. Legendary cricketers like Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, and a few more retired, and Sri Lanka suffered greatly in all three forms of the game. Their financial difficulties also affected how well they performed in international competitions.
But because to the efforts of a new group that includes players like Matheesa Pathirana, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanka, and Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka has once again gained respectability in the cricket world. Shanka guided the Lanka Lions to victory in the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup qualifications.
Kusal Mendis acknowledged the part that supporters played in keeping the ship afloat as they thought back on their recent triumph. He went on to say that Sri Lanka will rise to the top once more thanks to their influence and ongoing assistance.
The game would not progress if it weren’t for our ardent cricket supporters. It would be misplaced. It is the binding force of the crowds that has influenced the game of cricket in this country for so long.”
Kusal Mendis was cited by Sri Lanka Cricket as stating, “I think their continuous support will count in our going places.
The top-order batsman is also watching the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to start in the USA and the West Indies in June. Under Wanindu Hasaranga’s direction, Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe in the opening Twenty20 International of the series, giving the team much-needed confidence. Nevertheless, they still have a great deal of room to grow before the big event in June.
In response, Kusal Mendis said that the team now consists of 20 players and that they are aiming to gel well in order to do well in both the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups.
With the T20 World Cup in five months and the next world cup in four years, Mendis stated, “I believe we have a set number of 20 players in place to work with for the future and that Wanindu (Hasarnga) and myself will be able to gel our respective teams into the right mix in time to come.”
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