Sri Lanka’s probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Sri Lanka have looked disastrous at the T20 World Cups after clinching their maiden title in 2014 under Lasith Malinga’s captaincy in Bangladesh. In the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies, Sri Lanka will endeavour to be impactful and lift the coveted trophy after 10 years.

The 2014 champions are in Group D, along with South Africa, Bangladesh, The Netherlands, and Nepal. Before the tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket will look to announce a solid 15-member squad that can reclaim the trophy after 10 years. With the tournament only 38 days away, it’s time to know Sri Lanka’s probable 15-member side.

Here is Sri Lanka’s probable 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 -

1. Kusal Perera (WK)

Back in 2014, when Sri Lanka lifted the trophy, Kusal Perera was also a part of the squad and his contribution was 125 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 150.60. In the upcoming competition, he might be given the task of delivering fierce starts to the team as an opener.

2. Pathum Nissanka

Pathum Nissanka might recover from a hamstring injury that he picked during the Afghanistan series in February. If he regains his fitness, the Sri Lanka cricket team management will induct him into the 15-member squad. The 25-year-old has represented Sri Lanka in 48 T20 Internationals (T20Is) and has scored 1231 runs at a strike rate of 116.46.

3. Kusal Mendis (WK)

Kusal Mendis will be handed the job of bolstering Sri Lanka’s top order and his responsibility will be to utilise his experience and play match-winning knocks for the side. The right-handed batter was the fifth-leading run-getter in the T20 World Cup 2022 held in Australia, notching up 223 runs in eight games at a superb strike rate of 142.94.

4. Wanindu Hasaranga (C)

Sri Lanka skipper Wanindu Hasaranga is out of cricketing action nowadays but is expected to become completely fit prior to the T20 World Cup to be held in the Caribbean islands. The leg-break bowler will look to instill confidence in the side with his leadership and leg-break bowling talent.

5. Charith Asalanka (VC)

Charith Asalanka's batting brilliance will be vital for Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. The left-hander is the deputy of Hasaranga and his duty will be to play quality innings while batting in the middle order. In the white-ball series against Bangladesh in March, Asalanka exuded confidence with his bat.

Also Check: South Africa's probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

6. Dhananjaya de Silva

Dhananjaya de Silva will look to be effective with both bat and ball in the upcoming T20I event. The 32-year-old has accumulated 792 runs and 15 wickets in 43 outings in his nine-year T20I career.

7. Dasun Shanaka

The Sri Lanka team management will expect their former skipper Dasun Shanaka to showcase his spunky side. As an all-rounder, his record is decent with both bat and ball. In his nine-year international career, he has appeared in 97 T20Is and has racked up 1444 runs and 31 wickets. 

8. Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews made a comeback in the shortest form of the sport this year. The veteran has looked confident after making a comeback as he has scored 206 runs in seven innings of nine matches at a decent strike rate of 137.33. With the ball, he has scalped seven wickets at an economy of 8.34. In the T20 World Cup coming ahead, Mathews’ experience will be crucial for Sri Lanka to fare well.

9. Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana will spearhead Sri Lanka’s pace attack in the T20 World Cup. The speedster is currently serving Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and has looked disciplined with the ball, grabbing 11 wickets at an economy of 7.60. The 21-year-old will strive to continue his brilliant form for his national side in the massive T20I tournament to be held in the West Indies.

10. Maheesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana will be assisting Hasaranga in strengthening Sri Lanka’s spin-bowling unit at the massive event. The 23-year-old has taken 10 wickets in eight T20Is at a frugal economy of 6.99. 

Also Check: Pakistan’s probable 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

11. Dilshan Madushanka

Dilshan Madushanka opted out of the IPL 2024 but he might regain fitness before the T20I World Cup. The pacer along with Pathirana will be expected to do wonders with the ball. Discussing his bowling numbers in cricket’s shortest format, he has clinched 14 wickets in 14 contests at an economy of 9.41.

12. Nuwan Thushara

Nuwan Thushara looked magnificent with the ball in his last T20I game against Bangladesh in Sylhet. The speedster took his first T20I fifer and became the Player of the Match award in his team’s convincing 28-run victory. The 29-year-old will look to form a fast-bowling trio and inflict damage on opponents.

13. Avishka Fernando

Avishka Fernando might tour with Sri Lanka as a back-up opener for the T20 World Cup. In case of any injuries to regular openers, his job will be to step up in an emergency to open the innings and deliver quality starts to his side. 

14. Akila Dananjaya

Akila Dananjaya is another experienced spinner who can be useful for Sri Lanka at the mega International Cricket Council (ICC) event. The 30-year-old has played 33 T20Is in Sri Lanka’s jersey and has bagged 30 wickets at an economy of 8.25, with the best figures of 3/36 against New Zealand in 2019.

15. Binura Fernando

Binura Fernando has played in 17 T20I contests and has clinched 16 wickets at an economy of 8.53. He can pose a threat to right-handed batters with his left-arm bowling on dry surfaces in the West Indies that are known for supporting speedsters.