Dasun Shanaka is appointed as the skipper of the Sri Lankan side for the white ball series against India starting from Sunday, 18th July, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
While the team is under transition and missing some of their key players, this inexperienced side has plenty of talent.
Let us take a look at five players who can create an impact in this series:
Dasun Shanaka
The hard-hitting all-rounder led Sri Lanka to a 3-0 series win against Pakistan in 2019. He is at the helm of affairs with the team under immense pressure to perform at the international level.
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In the last series against England, the right-handed batter made valuable contributions of unbeaten 48 and a vital 47-runs to propel the team to a fighting first innings total.
With plenty of inexperience in the team, Shanaka will be the key player for the home side.
Dhananjaya de Silva
One of the most improved players in the Sri Lankan set-up, Dhananjaya de Silva, will be the vital cog in the batting unit. He has been in sublime form, notching up a well-compiled 91 runs in the second ODI against England.
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The batting unit will be heavily reliant on the right-hander to guide them through the nuances of international cricket.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga first burst onto the international circuit after picking up a hat-trick in his ODI debut against Zimbabwe. Hasaranga is the youngest and the only leg spinner to pick up an ODI hat-trick.
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While he has plenty of success in the shortest format of the game with the ball, he is equally attacking with the bat lower down the order.
The right-hander has scored valuable runs in the lower middle order, and his all-around performance will hold the key for Sri Lanka.
Dushmantha Chameera
One of the most experienced bowlers in the Sri Lankan bowling unit, Dushmantha Chameera, will spearhead this bowling unit. A high-arm action and his ability to swing the ball upfront can cause plenty of problems for the Indian batting unit.
Akila Dhanajaya
The mystery spinner in the Sri Lankan squad wreaked havoc when India toured Sri Lanka in 2017 by scalping 6 for 54 in the ten overs.
His variations can be lethal against the inexperienced Indian middle order with conditions conducive to spin bowling.
