5 Sri Lankan Cricketers to Change the Fate of their Country in ODIs
Cricket, often referred to as a religion in Sri Lanka, holds a cherished place in the hearts of millions across the island nation. The country has a glorious history in One Day Internationals (ODIs), reaching heights that included winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996. However, Sri Lanka has been facing challenges, in maintaining their stature as a formidable ODI team.
The future, however, has talented young players ready to drive the Lanka team, back to prominence in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The five promising Sri Lankan cricketers—Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dunith Wellalage, and Matheesha Pathirana— are all set to change the fate of their country in ODIs.
Top 5 Sri Lankan Cricketers To Watch Out For
The recent matches of the Lanka team have highlighted, a new change in team dynamics with a fresh crop of new players, such as:
Pathum Nissanka
Known for his calm temperament and explosive shots as an opener, Nissanka is a rising star of the Lanka team. He has made his mark in the ODIs by handling pace and spins effectively. Nissanka is a right-handed batsman who has established himself as a reliable opener for Sri Lanka. His ability to play both, pace and spin makes him a valuable asset, and he possesses the range of strokes necessary to accelerate scoring when required.
Key Batting Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 57 | 2218 | 43.86 | 90.44 | 6 | 14 | 210* |
| List A | 99 | 3655 | 40.62 | – | 8 | 24 | 210* |
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis is a superb middle-order batsman and a pro at anchoring the innings during pressure situations. With quick footwork and aggressive shots, he often shifts the momentum of a match single-handedly. His primary role is that of a wicketkeeper-batsman. Kusal Mendis has been a part of the Sri Lankan ODI setup since 2016 and has steadily built a commendable record.
Key Batting Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 132 | 3903 | 32.79 | 86.17 | 3 | 29 | 122 |
| List A | 167 | 4766 | 31.35 | 85.82 | 4 | 33 | 122 |
Charith Asalanka
Asalanka is the current captain of the Sri Lankan team who played in the recently concluded Ind vs SL ODI 2024 series. He led the team to victory showing a promising leadership quality. Primarily a middle-order batsman, his left-handed technique has helped him in various match situations. His all-round performance helped his side to end the 27-year wait for an ODI series win against India. Additionally, Asalanka’s versatility allows him to play aggressively when needed, yet he can also consolidate during tougher game phases. His playing style reflects an adaptable mindset crucial in modern-day ODIs.
Key Batting Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 61 | 1957 | 42.54 | 88.99 | 3 | 12 | 110 |
| List A | 121 | 3803 | 40.89 | 84.43 | 8 | 22 | 178* |
Key Bowling Stats:
| Format | Matches | Inns | Wkts | Avg | Eco | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 61 | 16 | 11 | 19.72 | 4.53 | 4/18 |
| List A | 121 | 53 | 55 | 21.32 | 4.30 | 4/18 |
Dunith Wellalage
Dunith Wellalage represents an exciting new generation of Sri Lankan players as an all-rounder. This left-arm spinner brings finesse to the ball and possesses the skills to contribute significantly with the bat. His knack for taking crucial wickets and lower-order fitting have added depth to the Sri Lanka team. Making his ODI debut in 2022, Wellalage’s early career has shown great potential.
Key Bowling Stats:
| Format | Matches | Inns | Wkts | Avg | Eco | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 23 | 22 | 25 | 34.92 | 5.34 | 5/40 |
| List A | 60 | 59 | 76 | 28.61 | 4.72 | 5/21 |
Key Batting Stats:
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 24 | 20 | 331 | 22.06 | 79.56 | 0 | 1 | 67* |
| List A | 61 | 51 | 1003 | 25.07 | 77.69 | 0 | 6 | 74 |
Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana is often compared with Lasith Malinga due to his unique bowling action. He is a fast bowler, known for his ability to bowl yorkers at will. With a speedy pace and handy variations, he poses a serious challenge for batsmen in the death overs. Pathirana debuted in the OdIs in 2023, and his performances have been promising, since then. With his youthful energy, Pathirana will spearhead the bowling attacks of Sri Lanka for the years to come.
Key Bowling Stats:
| Format | Matches | Inns | Wkts | Avg | Eco | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 12 | 12 | 17 | 36.23 | 7.27 | 4/32 |
| List A | 21 | 20 | 26 | 35.61 | 6.68 | 4/32 |
Overview
The recent win of the Lankan Lions over the Indian Team has brought a new wave of confidence and energy to the Lanka team. The future of Sri Lankan cricket appears bright with the emergence of these five promising players—Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dunith Wellalage, and Matheesha Pathirana. Each brings a unique skill set and fresh energy to the team, making them pivotal to redefining the fortunes of Sri Lankan cricket in the ODIs.
