Sri Lanka’s Best Playing XI for ICC World Cup 2023

The countdown to the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup has begun, and the cricketing world is poised for an exhilarating showdown. Among the participating nations, Sri Lanka, a team with a rich cricketing heritage, is gearing up to make its mark on the global stage. Under the astute leadership of Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan squad for the World Cup embodies a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned expertise. In this article, we embark on a journey to curate the ultimate playing XI for Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup, dissecting their strengths, strategies, and the pivotal players who will carry the nation’s cricketing hopes.

Sri Lanka’s quest for World Cup glory unfolds with a potent combination of solid openers, a versatile middle order, a diverse spin attack, and a pace battery that can unsettle the best of batting lineups. With Dasun Shanaka at the helm, renowned for his leadership qualities and all-round skills, Sri Lanka’s journey promises to be a captivating narrative of determination and sportsmanship. As cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the forthcoming battles, join us in exploring Sri Lanka’s Best Playing XI for the 2023 World Cup.

Sri Lanka Squad for the 2023 World Cup:

Player	Role

Dasun Shanaka (captain)	Right-Hand Batter/ Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Kusal Mendis (vice-captain)	Wicketkeeper Batter
Kusal Perera	Wicketkeeper Batter
Pathum Nissanka	Right-Hand Batter
Lahiru Kumara	Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Dimuth Karunaratne	Left-Hand Batter
Sadeera Samarawickrama	Wicketkeeper Batter
Charith Asalanka	Left-Hand Batter/ Right-Arm Off-Spin Bowler
Dhananjaya de Silva	Right-Hand Batter/ Right-Arm Off-Spin Bowler
Maheesh Theekshana	Right-Arm Off-Spin Bowler
Dunith Wellalage	Slow Left-Arm Bowler/ Left-Hand Batter
Kasun Rajitha	Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Matheesha Pathirana	Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Dilshan Madushanka	Left-Arm Fast Bowler
Dushan Hemantha	Right-Hand Bowler/ Right-Arm Leg-Spin Bowler

Sri Lanka’s Best Playing XI for the 2023 World Cup:

Openers:

Image source: Perera & Nissanka’s Facebook

Pathum Nissanka, a talented right-handed batsman, provides stability at the top of the order. Known for his solid technique and patience, Nissanka’s role is to anchor the innings and build a foundation.

Partnering with Nissanka is the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera. His aggressive style of play and ability to take on bowlers in the powerplay overs make him a vital asset. Perera’s ability to keep wickets adds depth to the squad.

Middle Order:

Kusal Mendis slots into the crucial number three position. As the vice-captain, his responsibility extends beyond batting. Mendis combines elegance with aggression and is tasked with anchoring the innings and providing leadership support. Even though Sri Lanka have multiple wicketkeeper batters, Kusal Mendis will be the one keeping the wickets for them. Sadeera Samarawickrama, a talented wicketkeeper-batsman, adds depth to Sri Lanka’s middle order. His ability to find gaps and rotate strike complements the firepower of the top order.

Charith Asalanka, a versatile left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler, offers a valuable all-round option in the middle order. His ability to provide breakthroughs with the ball adds balance to the team. Dhananjaya de Silva is another versatile all-rounder who strengthens Sri Lanka’s middle order. His right-arm off-spin and ability to accelerate the scoring rate make him a key player. Both Asalanka and de Silva will be useful on the Indian soil.

Spinners:

Maheesh Theekshana, a right-arm off-spin bowler, brings variety to Sri Lanka’s spin department. His ability to turn the ball and deceive batsmen can be a game-changer in the middle overs. Dunith Wellalage, a slow left-arm bowler and left-handed batsman, adds depth to the spin department. His ability to provide a different angle with his spin and contribute with the bat makes him a valuable asset.

Fast Bowlers:

Lahiru Kumara, a right-arm fast bowler, leads Sri Lanka’s pace attack. His ability to generate pace and extract bounce is crucial. Kumara’s role is to provide early breakthroughs and rattle the opposition’s top order. Kasun Rajitha, another right-arm fast bowler, complements Kumara with his swing and seam movement. His ability to control the flow of runs and strike early is vital. Dilshan Madushanka, a left-arm fast bowler, adds variety to the pace department. His ability to deliver yorkers and bowl at the death makes him a potent force.