Sri Lanka cricket team entered the world of T20 cricket in 2006 in its match against English. They defeated England in that match. From that time till now, there have been many ups and downs in the Sri Lankan team. While during the previous 3-4 years, Sri Lankan hasn’t been able to give some extraordinary performances in T20 especially, Sri Lankan team wasn’t the same during all this time.
Sri Lanka cricket team Previous Stats
At one time, the Sri Lanka cricket team was mighty and lethal. It was considered one of the best at that time. From Jayasuria to Mahela Jayawardena, From T.M Dilshan to Angelo Mathews, from Kumar Sangakara to Chandimal, From Malinga to Kulasekara, during the time of these players, Sri Lankan team was at its peak. They even reached the final of 2009 T20 World Cup, but they couldn’t win that game but still it was a big achievement for Lankan time to reach final of T20 world Cup. We can simply say that was the golden age of Sri Lankan. After these players started retiring, slowly and steadily, the downfall of the Sri Lankan team started.
T.M Dilshan had 1889 runs in 79 innings at an average of 28.19. He was considered the top batsmen of the Sri Lankan team in T20s. Perera is in second spot with 1539 runs in 59 innings. Then comes Jayawardena with 1493 runs in 55 innings. These were the top-notch batsmen of the Sri Lankan team.
Sri Lanka has played 148 T20 matches Out of 148, they have lost 77 matches and emerged victorious in 67 matches. 2 ended in a tie. This stat proves the point that Sri Lankan have been consistently performing poorly.
The current Sri Lanka cricket team doesn’t have many experienced players. Instead, you’ll see new faces. Gunthalika, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis, P. Nissanka and almost 90% of the current Sri Lankan team which is taking part in Asia Cup 2022 has new faces who don’t have that much exposure to international cricket. Due to this reason, their team isn’t performing well.
Kusal Mendis with an average of 19.61 in 38 T20s and Dhanushka Gunthalika has an average of 17.82 in 40 T20s can become the next big player of the Sri Lankan team. They just need to be consistent in their performance. Wanindu Hasaranga (with an economy rate of 6.62 and 63 wickets in just 39 T20s), Dinesh Chandimal, the only experienced player in Sri Lankan team currently with an average of 19.66 with the bat in 68 T20s.
These numbers aren’t extraordinary but as the Sri Lankan players will get more and more international exposure, they’ll evolve and can become good players as their predecessors were. They need to work on themselves. Sri Lanka also needs to find young and new talent. They are lacking in pace bowling and somewhat in the batting department too. Only in this way, can they regain their lost glory.
Sri Lanka cricket team for asia cup 2022
Dasun Shanaka (captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal.
