Shanaka survives a storm and retains captaincy for World Cup

Dasun Shanaka (centre) with selectors Chairman Pramodya Wickremasinghe and Head Coach Chris Silverwood

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s national cricket selectors headed by former fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe have decided to retain all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as Captain of Sri Lanka for next month’s 2023 Cricket World Cup in India despite his constant failure to deliver with the bat.

Following Sri Lanka’s abysmal display in the Asia Cup final against India where they were shot out for the lowest total in the competition and the continued poor batting form of Shanaka, there was tremendous pressure brought on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by all and sundry including the social media that was agog for a change of captain.

Concerns over Shanaka’s captaincy during the Cricket World Cup was taken up for consideration during a meeting of the selection committee. However the selectors have decided to give Shanaka another opportunity till the Cricket World Cup.

Shanaka had the backing of Head Coach Chris Silverwood who said, “There’s more to being the captain than just scoring runs. Dasun is very good at it. He has the respect of everyone in the dressing room. He understands the players and shows them a lot of love and support as well. And that love and support is returned to him as well. But he’s not alone there. He’s got a lot of support in that dressing room.”

SLC has not yet made any statement with regard to the World Cup squad. However it is learnt that fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara have been ruled out with injuries.

Wanindu Hasaranga has been included in the 15 but subject to fitness. Hasaranga damaged his hamstring during the Lanka Premier League while leading B-Love Kandy and missed out on the Asia Cup. He is understood to have suffered another injury scare while undergoing rehabilitation.

Sri Lanka are one of three teams yet to announce their final squad of 15 players for the World Cup. Pakistan and Bangladesh are the others.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given 28 September as the deadline to name or change the teams.

Sri Lanka are due to leave for India on 26 September. They have two World Cup warm-up games against Bangladesh on 29 September and against Afghanistan on 3 October (both matches at Guwahati) before they open their World Cup campaign against South Africa at Delhi on 7 October.