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.

Chamari Athapaththu, the enigmatic Sri Lankan cricket captain, has put an end to speculation about her international retirement, confirming her intention to lead her team until at least next year's ODI World Cup.Athapaththu, 34, has been a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cricket for over a decade, amassing an impressive record as both a batter and a leader. Her recent performances at the Asia Cup, where she emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer and guided her team to victory, have further cemented her status as one of the most influential players in the women's game.Despite hinting at a possible retirement in the past, Athapaththu has now clarified that she remains committed to representing Sri Lanka on the international stage. "Hopefully I'll still play till the next 50-over World Cup," she stated in a recent interview.This announcement is a significant boost for Sri Lankan cricket, as Athapaththu's experience and leadership will be invaluable in the team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and the ODI World Cup in India next year.Athapaththu's decision to continue playing is a testament to her unwavering passion for the game and her desire to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers. Her presence in the team will provide stability and guidance, while her exceptional batting skills will continue to be a major asset for Sri Lanka.As Sri Lanka gears up for the challenges ahead, Chamari Athapaththu's commitment to the national team is a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for both players and fans alike.

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's fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the upcoming home series against India due to an injury. The news was confirmed by Sri Lanka's chief selector Upul Tharanga, who stated that Chameera will miss both the T20Is and ODIs.Chameera's absence is a significant blow to Sri Lanka's bowling attack, as he is one of their most experienced and reliable bowlers. It is unclear when or how Chameera sustained the injury, but he was not picked in the Kandy Falcons side towards the end of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) earlier this month.Tharanga said that a replacement for Chameera will be named shortly, with Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, or Kasun Rajitha likely to be in contention.In other team news, Angelo Mathews has been left out of the T20I squad despite his impressive performances in the LPL. Tharanga confirmed that Mathews is no longer being considered for the next T20 World Cup in 2026."We need to look to the future," Tharanga said. "There's a big gap to fill when it comes to an allrounder in the side - we have about two-three new players in mind to slot into that role."Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Perera, who both had excellent performances in the LPL, are also not guaranteed a place in the starting XI. Tharanga confirmed that Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are the first-choice openers, with Kamindu Mendis likely to slot in at no.4.Captain Charith Asalanka will remain at no. 5, which leaves one spot - at no.3 - for either Chandimal or Perera.With the T20Is being played in Pallekele, a venue that has offered more pace and bounce than anywhere else in the country, Tharanga said Sri Lanka could play three fast bowlers. Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, and Matheesha Pathirana could be the first-choice combination, with Dasun Shanaka as another seam option at no. 6.On the spin front, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will play, with Dunith Wellalage an option if Sri Lanka want an extra spinner.Sanath Jayasuriya, who has been appointed as Sri Lanka's interim head coach, said he will try his best to help the team succeed."I don't have experience as a head coach, but I will try and do my best with this challenge," Jayasuriya said. "That said, I'm only in the role on an interim basis, so we will have a permanent coach coming in soon."Sri Lanka have been preparing for the India series by playing in the LPL and having a training camp in Kandy. They have also been working with Rajasthan Royals high-performance director, Zubin Bharucha, on a short-term basis.

Sanath Jayasuriya, the interim head coach of Sri Lanka, has revealed that Zubin Bharucha, the high performance director of Rajasthan Royals, has assisted his batters in preparing for the upcoming Twenty20 series against India. Jayasuriya believes that his team can capitalize on the retirements of prominent Indian players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Following India's World Cup victory last month, Rohit, Kohli, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 International cricket. The Twenty20 series versus Sri Lanka will begin in Pallekele on July 27.Despite the fact that a few Sri Lankan players compete in the Lanka Premier League, Jayasuriya disclosed that they have trained with Bharucha for six days. "We just started the sessions just after the LPL. Most of the players are playing the LPL, so they were busy with cricket and what we wanted (for them) was to play cricket as much as possible," he said, as per PTI."We got Zubin from Rajasthan Royals and we had about six days of work and also with the other cricketers who finished with the LPL. I hope the players have learnt what you (management) wanted to do in terms of practice and their technique."The preparation was good, and we have two more days in Kandy before the T20 starts," he added.According to Jayasuriya, Bharucha's sessions with the players were intensive, and they learned a lot from him. "It is important to learn as international cricketers new techniques, new approaches and shot making to be effective," he said.In the Twenty20 Internationals, India has Suryakumar Yadav as their new captain. Jayasuriya, despite acknowledging his team's challenges, urged them to seize the opportunity. "Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are best players in the world. Looking at their talent and the kind of cricket they have played we all know where they belong, along with Jadeja," Jayasuriya was quoted as saying by Associated Press during a press meet."Their absence will be loss to the Indian team and we have to take maximum advantage out of that," he said.Following the disaster in the T20 World Cup, heads were rolled in the Sri Lankan team's upper management. Following Sri Lanka's elimination from the preliminary round, Wanindu Hasaranga, the captain of the squad, Chris Silverwood, the head coach, and Mahela Jayewardene, the high performance consultant, all tendered their resignations.Regarding Sri Lanka's current situation, Jayasuriya expressed his optimism that the players will be able to grow personally. "It is up to the players, we have been doing all the work in terms of practice, we have given training, we have got best coaches. I think Sri Lanka Cricket has provided most of the things and now it is up to the players," he said."For the present cricketers to come to that level, we have been doing all the necessary work and I hope in next two years there will be a lot of development in these boys," the batting great added."We need to give a little bit of time. I know, for the cricket-loving public it is frustrating sometimes but be patient, give us time, we are working on it. It is really hard work on it with the players and they will do well."While appreciating the angst of the supporters, the 1996 World Cup winner stated Sri Lanka has the quality in its ranks to emerge from difficult circumstances. "We have enough of talent. What we want (from them) is to go out in the middle and deliver -- it is not easy, we know that," he said."We have delivered when we were playing and now the time has come, people are waiting for this present team to perform and with what we are doing at the moment they will deliver very soon," he added.

Sri Lanka's young pace sensation, Mathisha Pathirana, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming T20I and ODI series against India, scheduled to commence later this month. The 22-year-old believes that a strong performance in this series could provide a much-needed boost to the island nation's cricket."I think it will be a good challenge. India is coming with a new coach and some new players. Their combination will be slightly different. But it will be a good challenge for us because they are world champions," Pathirana told The Hindu.Pathirana, who has quickly risen through the ranks in the last two years, is confident in his team's abilities. "We have a very good side and a lot of talent. Unfortunately, we didn't do well in the T20 World Cup. But if we can win this series, it will be a confidence-booster for the next three years," he added.The right-arm pacer has made a name for himself with his impressive performances for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2022. Pathirana expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, which has accelerated his career."After my under-19s, I was not in any squad in Sri Lanka. But since my debut for CSK, I got those chances and got selected for Sri Lanka's main team. Playing for CSK is a gift from god for me. Until I played for CSK, not many knew me. Sharing the dressing room with Mahi bhai (M.S. Dhoni) is very special for youngsters like me, especially coming from Sri Lanka," he said.In a short span, Pathirana has become one of the most reliable bowlers in the death overs. However, he is not content with that tag alone. "A lot of people say I am good at the death. But that is not enough for me. I want to be good with the new ball and in the middle overs too. If I can get swing and accuracy with the new ball, it will be good for me and the teams I play for," Pathirana stated.The upcoming series against India will be a crucial test for Pathirana and his Sri Lankan teammates. A strong showing could not only boost their confidence but also provide a much-needed shot in the arm for Sri Lankan cricket.

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.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most celebrated cricketers of the modern era, have received high praise from former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews. Mathews hailed them as "modern-day greats" and "legends of the game."Mathews recalled his experiences playing against Rohit Sharma from their Under-19 days, acknowledging Rohit's exceptional talent and potential from an early age. He also commended Virat Kohli for taking over the mantle from Rohit and delivering outstanding performances for India for over a decade and a half."I have played against Rohit from Under-19s. I have seen from those days what he is capable of. And Virat took over after Rohit from Under-19s. Virat has been amazing for India for over a decade and a half. Both of them are amazing players, modern-day greats, and legends of the game. And I wish them all the very best," Mathews said in an interaction on Star Sports.Another Sri Lankan veteran, Dinesh Chandimal, shared his perspective on Rohit and Kohli's retirement from T20I cricket after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup."I think it was the right time to retire (from T20Is) after winning the World Cup. As a senior player, you wish to have that. So I think they made the right decision. It's going to take some time to fill their shoes because they have so much experience playing T20 cricket especially. India have so much young talent. So, I am sure they will take their hands up and do their performance," Chandimal stated.Thisara Perera, who had the opportunity to play alongside Rohit Sharma at the Mumbai Indians franchise, provided insights into Rohit's personality off the field."I played with Rohit when I played in Mumbai Indians. He is a really good guy. As a human being, he is really nice because he always shares his thoughts with local guys and even overseas players," Perera added.The 2024 T20 World Cup marked the culmination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's illustrious T20I careers. Rohit led India's batting charge, amassing 257 runs and emerging as the team's highest scorer, while Kohli played a pivotal role with a match-winning knock of 76 runs in the final against South Africa, earning him the Player of the Match award.As India prepare to face Sri Lanka in an upcoming limited-overs series, there is speculation that Kohli and Rohit could potentially make a comeback for these matches.

Sri Lanka's Women's T20 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup has been announced, with the experienced trio of Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, and Anushka Sanjeewani making their return. The trio was rested for the recent series against the West Indies.The squad boasts a blend of youth and experience, with 16-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani being the youngest member. Despite her young age, Gimhani has yet to break into the starting XI. However, 18-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne has already established herself as an opening batter alongside skipper Chamari Athapaththu.Other young players in the squad include spin-bowling allrounder Kavisha Dilhari, seamer Kawya Kavindi, and leg spinner Sachini Nisansala. Nisansala's impressive performance against the West Indies earned her a spot in the squad.Sri Lanka's batting strength lies in the partnership between Athapaththu and Gunaratne. Sanjeewani's inclusion strengthens the lower order, while the middle order features Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, and Dilhari.On the bowling front, Sri Lanka relies heavily on spin, with the veteran duo of Inoshi Priyadarshani and Sugandika Kumari leading the attack. Nisansala, Gimhani, Dilhari, and Athapaththu provide additional spin options. Prabodhani and Kulasuriya bolster the pace attack, along with Ama Kanchana and Kavindi.The squad's balance of youth and experience, combined with its strong batting and spin-heavy bowling attack, makes Sri Lanka a formidable contender in the upcoming Asia Cup.