With Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya steering the ship until the 2026 T20 World Cup – set to be co-hosted with India – Sri Lanka’s ambitions have never felt so palpable. This is a team freshly revived, with three consecutive Test wins under their belt, currently perched at fifth in the Test rankings.
Breaking a 27-year dry spell with an ODI series victory over India hints that the long-lingering shadows of past failures are finally being dispelled. However, in the T20 arena, there are still a few cobwebs to sweep away.
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The recent T20 World Cup was a rude awakening, with Sri Lanka bowing out in the first round, followed by a resounding 3-0 drubbing at the hands of eventual champions India. For fans and players alike, this was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, if there’s anything cricket teaches, it’s resilience. The journey to redemption is on the horizon, and with the West Indies ranked third in T20s while Sri Lanka sit at eighth, a series win would be a solid foothold on the ascent to the top.
There’s been plenty to be hopeful about. Fielding has sharpened up, and running between the wickets no longer looks like a dance of uncertainty. But there’s a persistent cloud on the horizon – the dreaded batting collapse. It’s baffling to see a team of this caliber bowled out within 20 overs; this Achilles’ heel needs immediate mending. Perhaps the answer lies in an anchor – someone to hold one end firm and steady the innings. Pathum Nissanka seems well-suited for the role, a batsman who can bring more than just a stoic defense. Dinesh Chandimal, too, is a viable candidate, though his inclusion looks like it’ll take a twist of fate or an injury for the selectors to consider him seriously.
In a bold stroke, the selectors recalled Bhanuka Rajapaksa, a left-hander with the kind of raw power Sri Lanka sorely needs in the death overs. Rajapaksa steps into the shoes of Dasun Shanaka, who, after a long stretch of underwhelming performances, was cut from the squad. But here lies the rub – will Rajapaksa meet Sri Lanka’s demanding fielding standards? If he can commit to both ends of the game, Sri Lanka might just have found the missing piece in their batting jigsaw.
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay’s comeback adds yet another layer to this dynamic mix. Despite being away from T20 Internationals since early 2022, Vandersay stepped up admirably in recent ODI series against India, filling in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga. His return is more than just a tactical addition; it’s a nudge for Hasaranga to stay sharp and competitive, knowing there’s a capable alternative waiting in the wings.
Sri Lanka’s pacers, Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thusara, have also returned from injury. Pathirana’s shoulder and Thusara’s fractured finger kept them sidelined for a couple of months, but their form in the NSL final showed they’re back on track and raring to go. For a team that has at times lacked x-factor in their bowling armoury, their return is a much-needed boost.
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Chamindu Wickramasinghe is another young star brimming with potential. Though his domestic outings have been patchy, his performances during the Sri Lanka ‘A’ tour of South Africa have caught the selectors’ eye. Similarly, Dunith Wellalage, a mainstay in the ODI setup, has yet to make his T20 debut. His all-round capabilities, especially his batting prowess, might just make him a dark horse in the T20 format.
But for all the promise, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup still feels one short of consistent power hitters. Avishka Fernando, a player who can be explosive on his day, has yet to find the reliability required at the international level. With just one notable score of 37 in 35 T20 innings and a string of single-digit outings lately, Fernando is under the microscope.
Opportunity often wears the guise of adversity, and Sri Lanka may find their chance against a West Indies side missing marquee players like Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, and Akeal Hosein, all of whom have opted out for personal reasons. The absence of these match-winners opens a door for Sri Lanka to make a mark.
The picturesque Dambulla, with its stadium expected to be packed with fervent fans, offers an electric setting for the series. A win here could be another brick in the wall as Sri Lanka rebuild their momentum. With a maiden bilateral series win against West Indies within reach and a closely matched head-to-head record, there’s every reason for the team to go all out.
This isn’t just a series; it’s another stepping stone on the path to 2026, a chance to lay the foundation for a future where Sri Lanka can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the giants of cricket. So, as they gear up, there’s a quiet sense of purpose among the players and a glint of belief in their eyes.
