CWC 2023 Sri Lankan Cricket Team From Minnows to Champions

The Sri Lankan National Cricket team has a rich history when it comes to Sports like Cricket. This team won the ICC ODI cricket World Cup back in 1996 under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga.

Since then, this team has struggled to bag any ODI World Cup. This team also won a T20 World Cup in 2014 defeating India in the finals. Moreover, the Sri Lankan team has been giving tough competition to other teams consistently on world stages.

Sri Lankan cricket produced many cricketing legends like Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Arvinda De Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Mutthia Murlitharan, Rangna Herath, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywerdane, Tikaritane Dilshan, and modern-day legend Angelo Mathews.

These players have motivated and inspired a new generation of cricket in the Sri Lankan islands.

Over the past 2 or 3 years, this team has gone through different phases of change and finally got its squad ready for this year's World Cup in India.

Sri Lankan Cricket Team World Cups performance

Since 1975, the team's performance in World Cups was considerably poor until 1996 when the team pulled out a miraculous victory in the World Cup Arjuna Ranatunga and Arvinda De Silva played exceptionally outstanding leading the Sri Lankan Cricket team into the finals and then beat the Mighty Australians in the Finals.

Since then, this team has been superb in the mega events, reaching the finals twice in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups where they were eventually beaten by Australia and India respectively.

So, Sri Lanka also offers a competitive environment and is a strong side and a team has to play really outstanding to beat this team.

Achievements of the Sri Lankan Team in Cricket

Trophy	Status	Captain
ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 1996	Champions	Arjuna Ranatunga
ICC T20 World Cup 2014	Champions	Mahela Jayawardene
ICC Champions Trophy 2002	Champions	Sanath Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka Possible Squad for Cricket World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka will participate in the Asia Cup before the mighty ICC ODI World Cup. The management has not released the squad information till now.

But Sri Lanka has built up the team over the years and probably the same team will play the Asia Cup and the World Cup.

There can be slight changes in the squad that last played against Afghanistan last month. However, the official squad for Asia Cup has been announced by Sri Lankan Cricket.

Player Name	Role	Player Name	Role
Dasun Shanaka(C)	All-Rounder	Dimuth Karunaratne	Batsman
Pathum Nissanka	Batsman	Lahiuru Kumara	Bowler
Charith Asalanka	Batsman	Dunith Wellalage	Bowler
Kusal Mendis	Batsman/WK	Kasun Rajitha	Bowler
Kusal Perera	Batsman	Matheesha Pathirana	Bowler
Sadira Smarawickrama	Batsman	Mahesh Theekshana	Bowler
Dhananjya De Silva	Batsman	Dushan Hemantha	Bowler
Binura Fernando	Bowler	Pramod Madushan	Bowler

Main Players for the Sri Lankan Cricket Team

The batting department of this side looks promising with loads of experience like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dimuth Karunaratne will be looking forward to playing their best game at the highest stage of cricket game.

While the Bowling unit lacks experience with Chambers and Lahiru Kuamara leading the attack.

However, spin bowling options are world-class with the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana.

The Captain himself will provide the power hitting in the final overs and crucial 5 to 7 overs in the middle of innings.

Gameplay and cricketing Ideology of Sri Lankan Team

The Sri Lanka cricket team has been in renovation mode since the great Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Lasith Malinga bid adieu to the game.

Therefore, they have changed their approach to playing cricket with an offensive mindset. They are known for their fearless approach, often taking risks to seize control of matches.

The batting lineup of this team is its main strength and they tend to play an aggressive brand of cricket to put pressure on the opposition.

The team also places great importance on teamwork, a positive attitude, and hard work.

Overall, the Sri Lankan cricket team aims to play a fearless and quality brand of cricket that combines skilful strokeplay, strategic bowling variations, and a positive attitude towards the game.

How the Sri Lankan team has prepared for the World Cup 2023?

Sri Lankan Cricket has its own T20 League LPL that is underway and all the players in the squad are currently playing in this league.

So after this league, they will be taking part in the Asia Cup which is 50 over format. So, each player will get enough matches to prepare himself for the mega event in October 2023.

Similarly, the team management would also like to analyze the weak zones of its players and work on them to remove that weakness from their game.

Because you cannot afford to make mistakes in the World Cup games where your pride and everything is at stake.

So, the Asia Cup would be a great opportunity to regroup your team and work on your cricketing basics to improve and matches against quality sides like Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan will be crucial for your World Cup Preparation point of view.

What Challenges Lankan Team face in the mega event?

The main challenge for team Sri Lanka is their fast bowling strength. They lack quality seam bowlers that can get you wickets in the Powerplay overs.

Furthermore, this team needs to improve its fielding to win trophies like the World Cup. Therefore, management and coach Chris Silverwood have to work on players' fitness and fielding besides Batting and Bowling.

Die-hard and Supportive fanbase for the Sri Lankan team

The Sri Lanka cricket team fans are also among the most passionate and supportive like other international teams.

This country was declared “Default” because of the incompetent government and their policies. Suddenly, the country saw huge inflation, unemployment, and different other social crises. Team Australia visited the country and played a cricket series in Sri Lanka.

The stadiums were jam-packed despite the major crisis going on in the country.

This is a living example of how the people of Sri Lanka love cricket and how much they support their Sri Lankan Cricket team through their rough patches in cricket.

These fans are therefore popular for their enthusiasm and love for the sport and play a crucial role in motivating the players on and off the field.

World Cup Winning Prediction about Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is not on the list of favourites for the World Cup in India. However, this team has the capability to beat any team in the world on its day.

Last year, we witnessed how Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup Final and India in the Playoffs.

Similarly, in the last ODI World Cup, they also beat the champion of the World Cup, England in the league stage.

So, there is a ray of hope for Sri Lankan fans and supporters to back their team to lift the trophy once again after 27 years to give something for their country to cheer about.