Sri Lanka Squad For ICC World Cup 2023 Announced, Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out

Sri Lanka, on Tuesday (September 26), announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the squad just a couple of days before the deadline to submit the final World Cup squads.

SLC have decided to retain Dasun Shanaka as the captain for the marquee event. Several reports suggested that the allrounder was likely to step down or be removed as the captain of the ODI side after his consistent failures with the bat. The reports emerged right after he was dismissed for a duck in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 where Lanka suffered a humiliating defeat against India.

However, SLC has shown faith in Dasun Shanaka and has given him the opportunity to lead the team for the first time in the ODI World Cup. Having led Sri Lanka to the Asia Cup title in 2022, the all-rounder definitely knows a thing or two about winning a tournament.

Sri Lanka squad for World Cup 2023:

While Dasun Shanaka will lead the side, wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis has been named as his deputy. The highlight of the squad has been the inclusion of star allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga. The spin-bowling allrounder was doubtful for the World Cup after recently aggravating his hamstring tear.

Hasaranga recently missed the Asia Cup due to the same injury. Before that, he had topped both batting and bowling charts in the Lanka Premier League. His availability will be a huge boost for the Lankan team who are eyeing their second ODI World Cup title.

And while Hasaranga has managed to make it to the squad, fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera has missed out. He is currently sidelined with a pectoral injury. Lahiru Kumar and Dilshan Madushanka have also returned to the team after missing the Asia Cup 2023. Maheesh Theekshana who had suffered a hamstring injury during Asia Cup 2023 and missed the final has also been named in the squad.

Sri Lanka squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Dasun Shanaka(C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dilshan Madushanka

Travel Reserves: Chamika Karunaratne

Sri Lanka schedule for ICC World Cup 2023:

September 29, 2 PM: SL v Bangladesh (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati)
October 3, 2 PM: SL v Afghanistan (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati)

October 7, 2 PM: SL v South Africa (Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi)
October 10, 2 PM: SL v Pakistan (Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad)
October 16, 2 PM: SL v Australia (Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow)
October 21, 10.30 AM: SL v Netherlands (Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow)
October 26, 2 PM: SL v England (M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru)
October 30, 2 PM: SL v Afghanistan (Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Gahunje, Pune)
November 2, 2 PM: SL v India (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)
November 6, 2 PM: SL v Bangladesh (Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi)
November 9, 2 PM: SL v New Zealand (M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru)