Sri Lanka Cricket Team: Strength And Weakness Of Dasun Shanaka And Co. For ODI World Cup

Cricket World Cup 2023: The highly anticipated ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, the premier event in international cricket, is just two days away from commencing. Scheduled to take place in India from October 5 to November 19, this marquee tournament will unfold across ten breathtaking venues. It will kick off with a thrilling showdown, a rematch of the 2019 final, featuring defending champions England and New Zealand. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will embark on their World Cup campaign with a clash against South Africa in Delhi on October 7.

Sri Lanka's squad for ODI World Cup 2023

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha.

Sri Lanka's 'Strengths' in ODI World Cup 2023

(Sri Lanka men's cricket team during a match in the Asia Cup 2023 / Image: AP)

Spin Bowling Options: With Maheesh Theekshana, a talented young leg-spinner, and Dhananjaya de Silva, who can contribute with his off-spin, Sri Lanka has spin bowling options that can be effective in subcontinental conditions.

All-rounders: Sri Lanka has a good mix of all-rounders in the team, including Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka. All-rounders can provide balance to the team by contributing both with bat and ball.

Batting Depth: The presence of several quality batsmen in the squad, including Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Pathum Nissanka, gives Sri Lanka a strong batting lineup. If these batsmen perform consistently, they can put up competitive totals.

Also Read: ODI World Cup 2023: Can Lankan Lions Win The WC? Predicting Sri Lanka's Strongest XI

Sri Lanka's 'Weaknesses' in ODI World Cup 2023

(Pathum Nissanka during an Asia Cup match against Pakistan / Image: AP)

Inconsistent Performances: Sri Lanka has struggled with consistency in recent years, especially in limited-overs cricket. Their batting and bowling units have been inconsistent, and this lack of stability could be a significant weakness.

Over-reliance on a Few Players: The team often relies heavily on a few key players, and if they fail to deliver, it can put immense pressure on the rest of the squad. This over-reliance can be a vulnerability if opposition teams manage to neutralize these key players.

Also Read: ODI World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka Cricket Team's Full Squad And Complete Schedule For WC 23

Sri Lanka's 'Opportunities' in ODI World Cup 2023

(Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka practicing in the nets / Image: BCCI)

Sri Lanka can focus on developing young talent and giving opportunities to promising players. Identifying and nurturing talented youngsters can help build a strong team for the future. Sri Lanka has a rich cricketing history and has previously won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996, which was a significant achievement for the country. Winning the World Cup again would not only bring glory to Sri Lankan cricket but also inspire the next generation of cricketers and fans. 

Also Read: Sri Lanka Suffer Massive Blow, Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out Of ODI World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka's 'Threats' in ODI World Cup 2023

(Matheesha Pathirana celebrates a wicket against Pakistan / Image: AP)

If the team relies too heavily on a few senior players and they fail to perform consistently, it can create a significant threat to the team's overall performance. Injuries to key players during the tournament can disrupt team balance and performance. Managing and preventing injuries is a constant concern.

Sri Lanka's schedulde in ODI World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka v South Africa: October 7 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Sri Lanka v Pakistan: October 10 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Sri Lanka v Australia: October 16 at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Sri Lanka v Netherlands: October 21 at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Sri Lanka v England: October 26 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Sri Lanka v Afghanistan: October 30 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Gahunje, Pune
Sri Lanka v India: November 2 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sri Lanka v Bangladesh: November 6 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Sri Lanka v New Zealand: November 9 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Prediction for Sri Lanka in ODI World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka's performance in the tournament would likely depend on how well they have prepared, the form of their players, their strategies, and how they adapt to the conditions in the host country. Historically, Sri Lanka has had periods of success in cricket, including winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996. Their performance in 2023 will depend on their ability to overcome any weaknesses and perform consistently against strong opposition.

Image: AP