Captain Dimuth Karunaratne Reveals Sri Lanka's New-Look Test Jersey

Ahead of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, the Sri Lankan board revealed the new Test jersey for the team led by Dimuth Karunaratne. The new jersey has the massive sponsor logo in on the front- which is an anomaly from the previous jerseys.

The SLC explained the reason for the same on Twitter. ICC has decided to allow the teams to put a large logo on the front of their t-shirts so as to lure the sponsors in order to recover the losses suffered from the covid-19 pandemic.

For the first time, the Sri Lanka men's Test team shirt will feature a large sponsor logo across the front.

This temporary call was taken by the ICC as a measure to help cricket boards recover from revenue losses in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) December 23, 2020

The two-Test match series begins on 26th December in Centurion followed by the second Test in Johannesburg. The Islanders will host Joe Root’s England for a couple of Tests at Galle in January.

Dimuth Karunaratne led Sri Lanka to a famous Test series victory in South Africa in 2019

Sri Lanka – or rather any Asian side – haven’t done well in overall records in South Africa. The Islanders have won 3 and lost 11 matches out of 15.  However, of those 3, two triumphs came on the 2019 tour which set up Sri Lanka’s most famous overseas series victory.

A team depleted from injuries and out of form players; a coach who was stripped of the selector’s tag; having lost to Australia and England earlier; and a newly appointed captain, Dimuth Karunaratne.

Under Karunaratne, Sri Lanka defeated the Proteas in their own backyard in a Test series; Sri Lanka did what no Asian team has done in 27 years in South Africa since their re-admission – not even their giant neighbours, India.

The first Test victory in Durban came on miraculous innings of Kusal Perera who staged 78 runs last wicket partnership in a run-chase of 304. While if that could be considered Perera’s day – or not South Africa’s – the visitors thrashed Faf du Plessis’ side by 8 wickets in the second Test, whitewashing the hosts.

The 32-year-old, more experienced now, will once again lead Sri Lankan team, this time against South Africa, who has a newly appointed captain, Quinton de Kock, and a board who was in turmoil even before the covid-19 struck. While the visitors may not start as favourites, but they are definitely in the hunt of a making success once again.

Also Read: Australian Batsmen Take Help Of Sri Lankan Spinner In Nets Ahead Of Boxing Day Test