The Sri Lanka team will be defending champions of the Asia Cup and will look to retain their trophy this year on their home soil. Dasun Shanka-led side surprised everyone in the last edition of the continental event, as they came up top against Asian Giants India and Pakistan to win the championship in Dubai.
The six-nation Asia Cup, which will be played in a 50-over format will be played from August 31st to September 17th. Sri Lanka is grouped alongside Bangladesh and Afghanistan, as the top two in the group stage will make it into the group 4 stage.
Sri Lanka team also has settled unit for the ODI Cricket, as they will rely on the experienced Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, and Wanindu Hasaranga to deliver well for his team in the Marquee event. Here’s the strongest playing 11 of the Sri Lanka team in the Asia Cup 2023.
1. Openers – Dimuth Karunaratne And Pathum Nissanka
Sri Lanka veteran Dimuth Karunaratne made a comeback to the team after two years in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan as he scored two consecutive half-centuries in the final two games of the series to help their team win the series 2-1 after losing the first game on home soil and will look to do well in the Asia Cup 2023.
Right-handed opener Pathum Nisssanka has been one of the most exciting talents from Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game. In the previous Asia Cup in Dubai, Nissanka played as the opener with Kusal Mendis and they made match-winning partnerships in the games against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and India to help them win the elusive trophy in the 2022 Asia Cup.
2. Middle Order Batters – Kusal Mendis (WK), Charith Asalanka, And Dhananjaya de Silva
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis is one of the most improved batters in cricket in recent years. The 28-year-old has been one of few names for Sri Lanka and has experience playing franchise cricket and he has been doing a decent job for the Sri Lanka team in all three formats of the game. The versatile batter can open the batting and can also keep the wickets in the team.
Hard-hitting left-hander Charith Asalanka has been part of Sri Lanka’s white ball setup playing some crucial innings for his side in International Cricket and his recent form would be an encouraging factor for his team going into the marquee event. He is a versatile batter who can also bowl some off-spin, the Southpaw has got some cleaning-hitting skills in his batting.
Dhananjaya de Silva is a well-renowned Sri Lankan all-rounder in all three formats of the game. He has been one of the bright spots for Sri Lanka in the past couple of years when the team has struggled to put on impressive performances and will crucial player for his team in the forthcoming Asia Cup.
4. All Rounders- Dasun Shanaka (C) And Chamika Karunaratne
Dasun Shanaka has proven himself to be one of the best finishers in white-ball cricket in the last 18 months or so, as he batted exceedingly well for the Sri Lanka team in limited-overs cricket. The 31-year-old will lead the Sri Lanka team going into the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup later this year. The right-handed batter, who can also bowl some medium pace for his team in the middle over.
Chamika Karunaratne can be an important player for the Sri Lanka team in Asia Cup as he will contribute to the team’s success if provided an opportunity. He can be a handy batter lower-down the order for Sri Lanka and his variation in the death over would help his team to pick up some crucial wickets in the backend of the innings.
5. Spinners – Wanindu Hasaranga And Mahesh Theekshana
Wanindu Hasaranga is arguably one of the most well-known Sri Lankan players in their new era of Sri Lanka cricket due to his exploits in both international cricket and the franchise league around the globe. Hasaranga could trouble opposition batters on slow surfaces in sub-continental conditions and he is also a capable spin-hitter and can also use higher up the order.
Maheesh Theekshana has a handful of variations in his bowling, The Sri Lanka mystery spinner can outfox many opposition batters irrespective of the conditions, as he can vary his line and length according to the surface. The youngster is expected to bowl in tandem alongside Hasaranga in the middle over of the game.
6. Fast Bowlers – Matheesha Pathirana And Kasun Rajitha
Matheesha Pathirana made his debut for the ODI Cricket in the Afghanistan Series, He has produced some sensational performances for the Chennai Super Kings bowling tough death overs for them. The Youngster has a few things to work on in ODI Cricket but he can be a surprise package for the team as he would look to transform his fine form going into the 50-over format of the game.
Kasun Rajitha is expected to be the other primary pacer in the team, as they will look to produce a crucial performance for their team with the new ball in the Asia Cup against the high-quality opponents in the continental event.