Cricket

Sri Lanka's cricket selectors have made a significant change in leadership, appointing Charith Asalanka as the new ODI captain for the upcoming three-match series against India in August. This move comes after Kusal Mendis, who had been leading the team in ODIs since December 2022, was replaced.Asalanka's appointment as ODI captain is a continuation of his recent elevation to the T20I captaincy, following Wanindu Hasaranga's resignation after Sri Lanka's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. The selectors' decision to appoint Asalanka in both formats reflects their confidence in his leadership abilities and their desire for a fresh approach.Mendis' tenure as ODI captain was marked by mixed results. While Sri Lanka won six of the eight completed ODIs under his leadership, including five consecutive home victories against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, they suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Bangladesh. Despite Mendis' strong batting form, the selectors opted for a change in direction.The upcoming ODI series against India will be a major test for Asalanka's captaincy. India is a formidable opponent, and Sri Lanka will need to perform at their best to compete. The series will also provide an opportunity for Asalanka to establish himself as a long-term leader for Sri Lanka.The Sri Lankan squad for the ODI series against India includes a mix of experienced players and rising stars. Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Wanindu Hasaranga are among the key players to watch, while young talents such as Nishan Madushka and Matheesha Pathirana will be eager to make an impact.

Sri Lanka's new T20 captain, Charith Asalanka, has identified the Lanka Premier League (LPL) as the benchmark for selecting the national team's top-order batters. Asalanka believes that the LPL's high level of competition provides a reliable indicator of players' T20 abilities.Based on their impressive performances in the LPL, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Kusal Perera have emerged as strong contenders for the top three batting positions. Kamindu Mendis, who showcased his versatility by bowling with both arms, has secured the No. 4 spot.Asalanka emphasized the importance of using the LPL as a selection criterion, stating, "If you look at the LPL, it's the No. 1 tournament we have to make decisions like this. More than domestic T20s, the LPL is at a much higher level."Mendis, Nissanka, Fernando, and Perera all displayed exceptional batting prowess in the LPL. Mendis accumulated 329 runs at a strike rate of 150, while Nissanka amassed 333 runs at a strike rate of 153. Fernando impressed with 374 runs at a strike rate of 163, and Perera boasted the highest strike rate of 169, scoring 296 runs.Asalanka's leadership style revolves around man-management and fostering a positive environment. He aims to extract the best from his players and empower them to execute their plans with confidence."I've played under many captains, and I've tried to absorb as many of their good traits into my captaincy and into my life as possible," Asalanka said. "What I really want is to get 100% out of my players, and to create a positive environment for them."With a wealth of talented batters at his disposal, Asalanka faces the challenge of selecting the optimal top three for Sri Lanka's upcoming T20 matches. The LPL performances of Mendis, Nissanka, Fernando, and Perera will heavily influence his decision-making process.

Sri Lanka Appoints Charith Asalanka as New T20 Captain Ahead of India SeriesSri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Charith Asalanka as the new captain of the national Twenty20 team. The 27-year-old middle-order batsman takes over from Wanindu Hasaranga, who resigned after Sri Lanka's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in June.Asalanka's appointment comes ahead of a white-ball series against visiting India, which begins with three T20 matches on Saturday in Pallekele. The three-match ODI series will follow, starting on August 2 in Colombo.Dhananjaya de Silva remains the Test captain, while the board has not yet announced any changes to the ODI team, currently led by Kusal Mendis.Asalanka has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka in recent years, averaging over 30 in T20 internationals. He has also shown leadership qualities, having captained the Sri Lanka A team and the Colombo Stars in the Lanka Premier League.The Indian team arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday and will be looking to continue their recent dominance over their hosts. India has won the last five T20 series between the two sides, including a 3-0 sweep in February 2022.Sri Lanka will be hoping to use the home advantage to their benefit and put up a strong challenge against a formidable Indian team. Asalanka's appointment as captain is a sign of the board's confidence in his ability to lead the team to success.

Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan all-rounder, has unexpectedly resigned as the T20I captain of the national team after holding the position for approximately six months. In a statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Hasaranga expressed that his decision was made in the best interests of Sri Lankan cricket, without providing specific reasons."Sri Lanka will always receive my unwavering support as a player, and I will continue to stand by my team and leadership," Hasaranga stated in his resignation letter.Hasaranga's resignation comes as a surprise, considering that he was appointed to the captaincy role in August 2023. During his tenure, Sri Lanka won six out of ten T20Is, including bilateral series victories against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. However, the team's disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the Super Eight, may have influenced his decision.Despite the team's struggles, Hasaranga had publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the captaincy role and had even prioritized Sri Lanka commitments over lucrative IPL appearances. He also faced a two-match suspension for abusing an umpire during his stint as captain.With Hasaranga's departure, Sri Lanka Cricket will need to find a suitable replacement for the T20I captaincy. Charith Asalanka, who led the team in Hasaranga's absence during his suspension, is a potential candidate. Asalanka also captains the Jaffna Kings in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).Sri Lanka's next T20I assignment is a three-match series against India at the end of January. The team will also have a new coach for this series, with Sanath Jayasuriya taking over as interim coach following Chris Silverwood's resignation after the World Cup. Mahela Jayawardene had also stepped down as consultant coach last month.

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign ended on a high note as they cruised to an 83-run victory over the Netherlands in their final Group D encounter. Despite being eliminated from Super Eight contention, the 2014 champions showcased their batting prowess, posting a formidable total of 201 for six.Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka led the charge for Sri Lanka, both scoring 46 runs. Mendis' innings was a steady accumulation of boundaries, while Asalanka's knock was a whirlwind of sixes and fours. The duo took advantage of the strong crosswinds at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia to propel their team to the first 200-plus total in a T20 International at the venue.The Netherlands' chase started brightly, with openers Max O'Dowd and Michael Levitt putting on a 45-run partnership. However, the innings fell apart after O'Dowd's dismissal, with Nuwan Thushara claiming three wickets to reduce the Dutch to 69 for four.News of Bangladesh's victory over Nepal, which secured their spot in the Super Eight, further dampened the Netherlands' spirits. Sri Lanka capitalized on the deflated Dutch team, bowling them out for 118 in 16.4 overs.Edwards and Levitt top-scored for the Netherlands with 31 runs each, but the Sri Lankan bowling attack proved too strong. Thushara was the standout performer, claiming three wickets for 24 runs.Despite their early exit from the tournament, Sri Lanka's victory over the Netherlands provided a glimmer of hope for the future. The team showed glimpses of their potential, and with a young and talented squad, they will be looking to make a stronger impact in future ICC events.