So the teams for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States have been announced. With the warm matches now underway it is natural for critics and pundits to ponder the chances of the top teams. Speaking of top teams in this year’s competition, it is no secret that Sri Lanka is not going to be anyone’s top bet.
In fact, given recent performances in the shorter formats of the game, the team from the subcontinent are not even touted as dark horses. This is understandable. However, the question is worth asking: what chances does Sri Lanka have in this competition? From winning the whole tournament, which seems like a long shot, to entering the knockout stages.
Sri Lanka – Not the Best Team Nor the Worst
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When assessing the chances of a team like Sri Lanka it is best to start with the fundamentals. Sri Lanka’s squad is not the worst by any means. It is a lineup that features several top-class players, solid death bowling options, attacking spinners, and a decent batting lineup, albeit one that is lacking in form.
With players of the caliber of Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis, and Matheesha Pathirana in the ranks supported by the experience of Angelo Matthews this is a solid lineup. The trouble for Sri Lanka is that the best teams in the competition: India and Australia notably and also South Africa and New Zealand are considerably stronger. And Sri Lanka as a team has not fared well against these teams in past competitions.
So the first point to consider is that in contrast to the other teams in the competition, Sri Lanka is not the best. But nor are they among the lower strata. This takes us to the format of the tournament one that could work in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Getting to the Knock-Out Stages and Beyond
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In major ICC tournaments where there is a lot at stake, for big teams, including Sri Lanka, which is a one-time champion in case people forget, the key is to get the basics right. This means not losing to teams that are weaker than them on paper.
Sri Lanka is placed in Group D. An interesting group that features one very strong South African side, and a relatively strong Bangladesh side; a team that comfortably beat Sri Lanka in the last ICC tournament: an easy 3-wicket win with 53 balls to spare in the last World Cup. On top of that Sri Lanka will have to face off against the rising Netherlands side, that upset South Africa in last year’s World Cup.
So ‘first things first’ will be the order of the day. And as it tends to be the case in ICC tournaments smaller teams tend to fancy their chances against big competitors who have a lot more to lose. This could prove to be a problem for Sri Lanka. If they are slow out of the blocks, rising teams like the Netherlands will fancy their chances.
Can Sri Lanka Upset the Big Guys?
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Till will tell. As noted, the first task for Sri Lanka is to get through the group stage. This would mean winning one of their games against either South Africa or Bangladesh and hoping they don’t slip up against the Netherlands and the smaller sides. This is easier said than done. And recent performances do not bode well.
But that could be a blessing in disguise. Sri Lanka’s terrible record in recent ICC competitions means that they could approach this tournament as a virtual newcomer. Go in with a never-say-die mindset and stop thinking about the team’s overall chances.
The secret is to take one game at a time, do the basics right, and when the opposition slips up, take full toll. This would mean that key player like Mendis, Hasaranga and Pathirana need to step up to the plate. Can they do it?
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s T20 World Cup Selection Depends on Opening Role: Matthew Hayden Opinion
About the Author
Damian Thar writes on a range of topics. In addition to his professional work, he writes essays on subjects like philosophy, history, and culture. He also writes and edits books and in his free time, he makes YouTube videos on topics like religion, theology, and current events. You can find his work here.
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