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A mixed-bag Sri Lanka would be relying on key players like Pathum Nissanka, skipper Dasun Shanaka, spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana as they head into the T20 World Cup with a massive home advantage, which gives them a real shot at their first ICC title since the 2014 edition of the tournament.
Heading into the tournament, Sri Lanka have been largely sub-par at home and have lacked the big tournament/match pedigree which made them such a fearsome unit during the golden days of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan. However, with a considerable amount of T20 experience under their belt, it is just about peaking at the right time for the Lankan boys in their homeland. -Team's performance since last T20 World Cup: Since the last T20WC, Sri Lanka has played 33 matches, winning 13, losing 18 and two ending in a tie. Coming to a series-wise breakdown, Sri Lanka has participated in 10 bilateral series/multi-team tournaments, winning just two of these. 5-10-1 -A loss to India at home (0-2, one tie) (July 2024)-A win over West Indies at home (2-1) (Octobet 2024)-A draw against New Zealand at home (1-1) (November 2024)-A loss to New Zealand away from home (1-2) (December 2024)-A loss to Bangladesh at home (1-2) (July 2025)-A win against Zimbabwe away from home (2-1) (September 2025)-A Super Four exit in Asia Cup in UAE (September 2025)-A tri-nation series loss in Pakistan featuring Zimbabwe (November 2025)-A draw against Pakistan at home (1-1) (January 2026)-A loss to England at home (0-3) (January-February 2026) -Top performers for Sri Lanka after T20 World Cup 2024: *Pathum Nissanka: 1,156 runs in 33 matches and innings at an average of 36.12, with a strike rate of almost 141, including a century and eight fifties. *Kusal Mendis: 796 runs in 33 matches and innings at an average of 26.53 and a strike rate of 124.76, with three fifties. *Kusal Perera: 635 runs in 27 matches and 26 innings at an average of 26.45, a strike rate of almost 140, with a century and three fifties. *Wanindu Hasaranga: 41 wickets in 26 matches at an average of 18.29, with two four-fers. *Dushmantha Chameera: 28 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 16.50, with a four-fer and five-for to his name. *Maheesh Theekshana: 26 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 29.34, with best figures of 3/28. -Positives for Sri Lanka: *Nissanka's coming of age as a T20I batter: Nissanka has developed immensely as a T20I batter ever since the last T20 World Cup. Not only he has performed consistently well for Sri Lanka, but has also started finding his feet in franchise cricket. The 27-year-old impressed on his International League T20 (ILT20) debut last year with Gulf Giants, getting 243 runs in six innings at an average of 40.50 and a stunning strike rate of almost 187, with three fifties. *Spin duo of Hasaranga-Theekshana: Hasaranga and Theekshana are currently in solid form and have immense experience of playing at home and in India too. On their day, these two are a match-winning pair. *Home advantage: Sri Lanka has home advantage by their side, it is just about clicking at the right time now. -Negatives for Sri Lanka: *Poor run at home after T20 WC 2024: Sri Lanka has been largely poor at home, winning just one out of five series at home. They have won just five of 16 T20Is at home and lost 10, including one tie. *Poor form of the middle-order batters: Charith Asalanka (365 runs in 27 matches at an average of 17.38 with a fifty), Kamindu Mendis (313 runs in 23 matches at an average of 17.38, with two fifties), skipper Shanaka (291 runs in 24 matches at an average of 18.18 with a fifty) have been disappointing since the last T20 WC, and a lot hinges on the success of Nissanka, Perera and an emerging Kamil Mishara, who looks a fine number three prospect for Lankans. *Conservatism in batting: With an overall strike rate of 124.83 and top-seven batters SR of 129.67, there is plenty of conservatism in batting approach which SL needs to overcome to catch-up with aggressive teams like India, South Africa and England. SL is in Group B with Australia, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe and will start against Ireland in Colombo from February 8. Sri Lanka Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga. (ANI)
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