The Sri Lanka has been eliminated from the 2024 T20 World Cup following their defeat to Bangladesh in the first round, marking their second loss after an earlier setback against South Africa.
With upcoming matches against the Netherlands and Nepal, their chances of advancing to the Super Eight round appear slim, even if they were to secure victories in both contests.
This outcome reflects the team’s struggle to adapt to the highly competitive T20 format that has become prevalent in modern cricket.
The requisite level of commitment and understanding of responsibilities among the players has not been fully realised, contributing to the team’s inability to succeed in this evolving format.
Mawan Athapattu criticises Hasaranga
Upon reviewing the chosen players for this year’s World Cup, I have identified specific concerns regarding the team’s composition.
A notable imbalance exists within the team. Nonetheless, I find the overall amalgamation of players to be satisfactory.
An intriguing account emerged during a recent televised interview featuring former Sri Lankan captain Mawan Athapattu.
He revealed that the current T20 captain, Vanidu Hasaranga, wielded considerable influence over the team selection committee’s decision for the T20 World Cup. According to Athapattu, Hasaranga insisted on including his preferred team, making it explicit that his participation hinged on this condition.
While acknowledging the importance of considering the team captain’s viewpoint in the selection process, the committee must uphold objectivity and not merely conform to the captain’s preferences. This approach, if adopted, could potentially lead to significant errors.
Batters who don’t suit the T20 format
Upon thorough examination of the batters selected for the World Cup squad, it is challenging to maintain an optimistic outlook. Including Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dananjaya De Silva, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, and Dasun Shanaka raises significant concerns.
The primary apprehension pertains to the potential lack of energy among these batters, which is crucial for T20 matches. Dananjaya Silva is ill-suited for T20 matches due to his struggle to score runs swiftly. Moreover, none of the chosen batters exhibit consistent reliability in run-scoring.
In T20 cricket, at least three batters must maintain a consistent scoring record, a standard not seemingly met by any selected players.
The team’s top order, composed of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, has exhibited subpar performances in their recent matches. Similarly, the middle order, consisting of Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Angelo Mathews, has prompted concerns regarding the team’s reliance on their contributions.
Weakness of master
Despite Angelo Mathews’ status as the most experienced player, his position at number six in the batting order presents a challenge. When entering the game after the fall of the first five wickets with few runs on the board, Mathews is expected to lead the rebuilding of the innings.
Regrettably, he has not fulfilled this pivotal role in recent matches. This lack of performance is particularly notable given Mathews’ responsibility to either cautiously build the innings with ample time or to accelerate the run rate when faced with time constraints, both of which he has struggled to achieve in recent outings. This represents a significant responsibility that he has been unable to discharge effectively
Master of the hitter
Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are regarded as batting all-rounders, with Shanaka mainly known for his aggressive batting style. Nevertheless, Mathews generally only bowls one or two overs in a match, and Shanaka encounters a similar constraint.
While Mathews is tasked with opening the bowling, he is not afforded the subsequent over even if he delivers a commendable performance in the initial two overs. This situation represents a missed opportunity for the team and similarly affects Dasun Shanaka.
Find players between 18-24
Upon scrutinising the Sri Lankan team’s batting order, it is evident that it is ill-suited for T20 matches. Despite the T20 World Cup defeat, the selection committee must consider this a valuable lesson.
Certain sacrifices must be made to ensure the team’s long-term success. While these sacrifices may result in short-term defeats, they are essential for long-term gains.
Therefore, the priority lies in fostering a national team. This necessitates the identification of young players who are adept in the T20 format. It is imperative to seek out batters aged 18 to 24 who demonstrate quick-scoring abilities.
Subsequently, the mantle of leadership should be entrusted to a capable individual. The captain must possess not only cricketing prowess but also astute intellect. The leader’s decisions must be founded on logic and underscored by discipline.
A leader like a rascal
Let us deliberate on the incumbent T20 captain, Wanindu Hasaranga. He has exhibited exceptional prowess as a bowler, currently holding the top rank in global standings.
Nevertheless, apprehensions regarding his team leader capacity have surfaced due to concerns about his demeanour and leadership acumen. His comportment during matches has been lacklustre, prompting reservations about his understanding.
In a recent encounter against Bangladesh, his deficiencies in leadership became conspicuous as his teammates appeared to merely shadow his actions without offering their perspectives.
This indicates Hasaranga’s struggle to assimilate the strategic nuances of the game from his peers, suggesting a deficiency in leadership abilities.
Consequently, recommendations have been posited regarding the unsuitability of his leadership for the national team, proposing constraints on his involvement to his prowess as a bowler.
The weakest team in the T20 format
The Sri Lankan team is widely perceived as the least competitive participant in the 2024 T20 World Cup due to a shortage of cohesive teamwork. While individual players showcase commendable skills, the team’s collective capacity to synthesise these skills is lacking.
The pivotal issue at hand pertains to the need for effective leadership. Instances where the team’s leader fails to cultivate unity and structure imperil the overall cohesiveness and performance of the team.
