ZIM vs SL: Sri Lanka announced the squad for Zimbabwe ODIs and Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Akila Dananjaya have been recalled to Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the three-match series against Zimbabwe. Mendis will lead the lineup & notably, it will be Mendis’s first series after being appointed as Sri Lanka’s full-time ODI Captain.
Sri Lanka’s New Selection Committee has made eight changes to their lineup that finished second last at the ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka has added Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Sahan Arachchige to the lineup. The players who have been rested for the Zimbabwe series are Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha. Ksrunaratne & Matthews have been sidelined from the announced squad.
The Selectors were keen to address the inclusion of De Silva into the lineup. De Silva has an average of 25.90 in 82 innings but it’s long been argued that he was being wasted lower down the order, with 43 of his 81 ODI innings having come at either six or seven – in efforts to shoe-horn him into the side. The selectors therefore felt that his inclusion would be warranted if any position for the top order was left open.
ZIM vs SL: Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the first two ODIs
Chief selector Upul Tharanga expressed the belief that Dhananjaya de Silva has the potential to excel in the top three positions, providing him with more time to sustain his innings. Tharanga conveyed that they have discussed this with de Silva and emphasized the importance of him aiming for the top order even in club matches. The chief selector indicated that if de Silva is to rejoin the squad, it will likely be as a top-three batsman.
Meanwhile, Hasaranga’s availability will be subject to his fitness clearance as he is still recovering from Hamstring surgery. He will miss the first two ODIs while Theekshana will lead the spin-bowling unit that also includes Vandersay, Dananjaya, and Dunith Wellalage. Vandersay has last played an ODI back in January 2023 while Dhanajaya hasn’t turned for Sri Lanka in any capacity since 2021. The selectors have opted for both the player’s inclusion as they wanted to bolster Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.
However, what raises more questions is the inclusion of Dananjaya. He used to be a constant and influential presence in Sri Lanka’s bowling lineup, but after changing to his bowling action, he appeared to have diminished in effectiveness, resulting in his exclusion from the team. Nevertheless, his recent performances in domestic cricket have been noteworthy. Yet, considering the challenges of facing spinners on Sri Lankan pitches, the selectors are optimistic that exposing him to international matches will provide a clearer understanding of his current form and capabilities.
Selector and former Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis pointed out that Akila Dananjaya has been consistently taking wickets in the last couple of seasons. Additionally, Mendis emphasized the necessity for a contingency strategy for players such as Mahesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. Looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, Mendis stressed the importance of providing players on the periphery with more playing opportunities. He noted that the current structure of domestic cricket doesn’t offer the chance to assess Dananjaya as rigorously as he would be scrutinized in international competitions.
Avishka included in the lineup adds firepower to the team
In the batting order, Avishka’s inclusion in the lineup adds firepower to the team & will be placed at the top order along with Nissanka. The middle order will be taken care of by Mendis heading a trio that includes Sadeera Samarawickrama and new vice-captain Charith Asalanka. It is for the sixth and seventh positions though those spots will be up for grabs. Sri Lanka has struggled for consistency in the lower order.
Shanaka tried to solve that issue but his form was lacking over the past year. In Arachchige, Nuwanidu and Liyanage Sri Lanka hopes they have three players capable of filling that hole, with all three having impressed domestically and in the Lanka Premier League in recent years. In the bowling order, Chameera & Mashushanka will be up with Pramod Madushan coming as backup.
ZIM vs SL: Sri Lanka ODI squad
Kusal Mendis (capt.), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Mahesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga (subject to fitness)
Also read, NZ vs PAK: New Zealand announces squad for Pakistan T20Is
