Sri Lanka's long transition faces its sternest test

Sri Lanka enter the 2026 T20 World Cup still in transition. A record of 13 wins and 19 losses since the previous World Cup, with bilateral series victories only against West Indies and Zimbabwe, points to incremental progress. They failed to reach the Asia Cup final and lost a tri-series final in Pakistan during this period.

There is greater role clarity, but competitiveness has arrived in patches. This World Cup is about testing whether signs of stability can translate into consistency against stronger opposition.

The squad, and what it tells us

Squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga

The squad banks on continuity, with 10 players retained from 2024. Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake and Eshan Malinga are the new additions.

The batting revolves around Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis at the top. The middle order features Charith Asalanka, captain Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis, with batting depth largely coming through all-rounders.

Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana remain the tactical axis of the bowling attack. Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera and Eshan Malinga form the pace unit. Genuine middle-overs batting insurance remains thin.

The road to the World Cup

Results in the current cycle have offered limited encouragement. Sri Lanka missed the Asia Cup final. In a tri-series in Pakistan, they lost three of five matches, including a defeat to Zimbabwe and the final to Pakistan. They drew a bilateral series at home against Pakistan and have faced defeats against England leading into the World Cup.

Last five completed T20Is: L-L-W-L-L

The side plays a measured brand of T20 cricket. An overall strike rate of 125.83 since the last World Cup underlines batting limitations. An average of 21.11 per wicket tells a similar story. Their strength lies in adaptability on slower surfaces. Their weakness remains batting depth when early wickets fall.

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Wanindu Hasaranga remains Sri Lanka's most potent momentum-shifter. He leads their wicket-taking charts in this cycle with 41 wickets in 26 innings.

Pathum Nissanka is the other key figure, with 1133 runs in 32 innings at a strike rate of 140.22. He is crucial to their starts.

Group Stage Schedule

The schedule is well spaced, with three-day gaps after the first two matches. Familiarity with conditions is an advantage.

The match against Zimbabwe could prove tricky. Sri Lanka have lost three times to them since 2024.

What a good World Cup looks like

The T20 World Cup returns to Sri Lanka for the first time since 2012, when they reached the final. They won the 2014 edition. Since then, their star power has diminished. They have failed to reach the knockout stage in each of the last four editions, including a group-stage exit in 2024. As co-hosts in 2026, a semifinal appearance may represent their most significant achievement in recent years.

Statistics are updated up to Sri Lanka's second T20I against England on February 1.