With the 2024 T20 World Cup just around the corner, let’s take a look at the recent T20 squad of Sri Lanka, who won their T20 Cup in 2014. Since then, they have been an underperforming group in the tournament.
But let’s analyze the recent team of Sri Lanka using the SWOT analysis, as on the day 2 of the world cup, south Africa will face Sri lanka this tournament on June 3.
In March, Sri Lanka had recently won a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, in the latter’s home ground.
That time, wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis was the man of the hour.
However, during Sri Lanka’s preparatory matches, where Mendis managed to score 157 runs at an average of 78.5.
Notably, Kamindu Mendis also made 142.34 over three matches. Looking at their preparatory matches’ performance, Mendis can be an all-rounder option for the team, who can play an important role in T20 encounters.
Overall, Sri Lankan batters are expected to perform well in the US. But the question of pitches also needs to be taken into account, as pitches of US and west Indies are different in comparison to subcontinent pitches.
However, Sri Lanka’s primary weakness lies in their middle-overs batting. This vulnerability was evident in their sole loss against Bangladesh, where batters following Kusal Mendis failed to mount significant resistance, resulting in a continuous loss of wickets.
But despite being an underperforming team for a long time, the Sri Lankan team are known for keeping their nerves in crucial moments of the game.
It remains to be seen, how they perform in their opening match against South Africa.
The Sri Lankan team so far are relying on Angelo Matthews’s experience as a bowler, who has recently returned to T20I format in January after three years.
And has proven his bankability time and again, as during SLC’s match, he made 52 runs in two matches with a strike rate of 173.33.
But, if the veteran isn’t at his best, then it might become problem for Sri Lanka’s middle order.
Besides, Sri lanka is also playing all the four league matches in various venues, so adaptability might pose a problem.
Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka
Traveling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bharuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage.
