Charith Asalanka was appointed as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain for a three-match series against India after Wanindu Hasaranga stepped down from his role last month. Ahead of the first T20I against India on Saturday, newly appointed Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said he wants his players to give their 100 percent on the field and win matches in the series.
Charith Asalanka acknowledged the fact that they have talented players in the squad and as a captain of the side, he has given them freedom to express themselves freely on the field.. India and Sri Lanka will play a three-match T20I series followed by as many ODIs. After guiding his Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings to the title in the recently concluded season, the all-rounder Charith Asalanka feels that it is the premier T20 tournament of the country and top performers should be rewarded with a chance to represent the country.
Players from SL squad who performed in LPL 2024 is the key according to Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka has been a captain since age-group level, whether for his school Richmond College, or Sri Lanka Under 19, and most recently the winning LPL franchise. He suggested his style of leadership is based around man-management.
Kusal Mendis is in outstanding form, Pathum Nissanka has had fantastic outings, Avishka Fernando has been spectacular, and Kusal Perera has made a strong comeback. On top of which, Kamindu Mendis seems in good touch too. This is all on based on Lanka Premier League (LPL) performances, that new Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka regards as the gold standard in T20 cricket on the island.
The LPL concluded only on Sunday, with Asalanka’s Jaffna Kings side taking home the trophy. Top order batters flourished in that competition. Charith Asalanka has suggested that Kamindu – who also bowled with both arms during the LPL – has sewn up the No. 4 spot, having hit 287 runs at a strike rate of 157 through the tournament.
But then there are still four batters vying for the top three spots. As Charith Asalanka said: “There are four openers in the squad, and the way I’m thinking three of them will make up the top three. One of them will have to miss out.”
Those four:
- Kusal Mendis, who hit 329 runs at a strike rate of 150, and can keep wicket.
- Pathum Nissanka, who hit 333 at strike rate of 153.
- Avishka Fernando, who smoked 374 at a strike rate of 163.
- Kusal Perera, who had the best strike rate of the four – 169. He made 296 runs, but in fewer innings than the others.
These are stats worth thinking on before the two back-to-back matches on Saturday and Sunday, because Sri Lanka’s new captain Charith Asalanka is keen on using the LPL as a marker of T20 ability.
Charith Asalanka Wants Sri Lankan Players To Give 100% Against India & Win Matches in the upcoming series
Sri Lanka’s new T20I skipper Charith Asalanka reckons the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is the No. 1 tournament in the country with regards to picking players for national duty in T20Is. He further opined that those performing well in the LPL should get a good chance to represent Sri Lanka in T20I cricket.
The latest edition of the LPL concluded on Sunday, July 21, with Asalanka-led Jaffna Kings defeating Galle Marvels by nine wickets in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. A number of players who impressed in the LPL find themselves in the T20I squad for the three-match series against India.
Ahead of the first T20I, which will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, July 27, Asalanka emphasized on the significance of the LPL when it comes to selecting players for the national team.
“If you look at the LPL, it’s the No. 1 tournament we have to make decisions like this. More than domestic T20s, the LPL is at a much higher level.
“As a captain, I think if you perform at the LPL you should get a good chance at playing in the national team,” the Sri Lankan captain said, as quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Sri Lanka have picked a number of top-order batters who had impressive LPL seasons in their T20I squad. Kusal Mendis struck 329 runs at a strike rate of 150. Pathum Nissanka scored hit 333 at strike rate of 153. Avishka Fernando slammed 374 at a strike rate of 163, while Kusal Perera had a strike rate of 169 and scored 296 runs. Speaking about the four openers, Asalanka clarified that three batters would make it to the top three, while one will have to sit out.
“There are four openers in the squad, and the way I’m thinking three of them will make up the top three. One of them will have to miss out,” the 27-year-old said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be without the services of pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara, both of whom have been ruled out.
Charith Asalanka on his captainship strategy
Charith Asalanka was named captain of the T20I team after Wanindu Hasaranga quit the post following Sri Lanka’s dismal 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
Leadership is not something new to the talented batter. Before the LPL, he also led his school and the Sri Lanka Under 19 side. Sharing his thoughts on captaincy, the left-hander said that his aim will be to get 100 percent out of his players.
“From under 15 level I’ve captained teams, and there’ s been a lot of change since then. … I’ve played under many captains, and I’ve tried to absorb as many of their good traits into my captaincy and into my life as possible,” he said.
“What I really want is to get 100% out of my players, and to create a positive environment for them. We have a lot of talented cricketers, but what’s important is to get the most out of them and have them win matches,” Asalanka concluded.
The 27-year-old has featured in 47 T20Is and has scored 1061 runs at an strike rate of 126.76, with five half-centuries.