The 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup has arrived and we will be witnessing the first doubleheader of the tournament. Islanders Sri Lanka who won their only World Cup back in 1996 will start off their campaign against New Zealand today. Sri Lanka is definitely one of the underdogs of the tournament but with some quality players in their ranks, Sri Lanka will surely look to make a difference.
Dimuth Karunratne
The Sri Lankan skipper who last played an ODI way back in the 2015 World Cup was drafted into the Sri Lankan World Cup squad as a skipper. The southpaw was given the captaincy duties only due to his record-breaking captaincy in South Africa which saw them winning a Test series for the first time in the Rainbow Nation.
It was the first for any subcontinent team. The southpaw made an impression during the warm-up clash against South Africa and looked solid for his knock of 83. The southpaw will look to provide Sri Lanka a good start today against New Zealand.
Lahiru Thirimanne
The southpaw is expected to open the innings with Karunaratne. Thirimanne is an impressive batsman and has the ability to play the long innings. However, over the years he hasn’t been consistent enough. He will look to get Sri Lanka off to a good start today.
Kusal Mendis
He is one of the most important batters for Sri Lanka. On his day he has the ability to look the best batter from both teams but at times his soft dismissal keeps experts and commentators bemused. If Sri Lanka hopes to go through to the semi-final, Mendis should be consistent for the island nation.
Kusal Perera
He is one of the most swashbuckling batters in world cricket and has the ability to win matches single-handedly. However, the problem with him is also consistency. In the Test series against South Africa, he played one of the finest Test knocks of all time to help Sri Lanka win a memorable match from the jaws of defeat.
Angelo Mathews
The former skipper will lead the ideal balance to the squad and his experience will come in very handy. He tends to take his time at the beginning of his innings but has the ability to play the big shots to perfection. He will be an important member of the Sri Lankan if they harbour hopes of going further in the tournament.
Dhananjaya de Silva
He is a stylish right-handed batsman and his skills have impressed one and all. However, the main issue with this new Sri Lankan team has been their consistency. Meanwhile, de Silva is also a useful off-spinner who can chip in with a few overs.
Thisara Perera
The swashbuckling all-rounder has been a disappointment in international cricket over the years. He is a powerful striker of the ball and is also a useful bowler. However, he has the tendency to leak plenty of runs on quite a few occasions which makes the weak link in the Sri Lankan line-up.
Jeevan Mendis
He is expected to be the only spinner when the island nation takes on New Zealand in their opening World Cup game. Jeevan Mendis will look to provide the stability with the ball in the middle overs. Meanwhile, he is also a useful lower order batsman
Isuru Udana
The left-arm seamer has been part of the Sri Lankan set up for a long time. However, it is only in the recent years he has managed to come into the international radar on a consistent basis. He has quite a few slower deliveries up his sleeve.
Also Read: ICC World Cup 2019, Match 3: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka- Match Prediction
Suranga Lakmal
He was in contention to lead the Sri Lankan team. However persistent injuries have barred him from playing regularly for Sri Lanka. If he is fit he should make the cut in the XI. If the pitch helps the fast bowlers, he can be a lethal weapon for the Islanders.
Lasith Malinga
This man needs no introduction. Arguably the best fast bowler of the modern generation without a doubt., Slinga Malinga has improved by leaps and bounds after a falling off the radar a couple of years back. Though he is the twilight of his career, Malinga has the ability to produce a match-winning spell which he showed during the final of the recently concluded IPL.