Sri Lanka announce final squad for ODI World Cup 2023, star player misses out

The Sri Lanka cricket team on Tuesday, September 26 announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. The Sri Lankan team will be led by star all-rounder Dasun Shanaka and consists of the likes of star young players like Kusal Mendis and Dunith Wellalage, who also shined in the 2023 Asia Cup. Chamika Karunaratne has been included in the team as a travelling reserve. 

3 things you need to know 

• Sri Lanka won the ODI World Cup once in the year 1996 under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga 
• Sri Lanka qualified for the ODI World Cup 2023 after winning the qualifiers 
• Sri Lanka played against India in the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup

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Sri Lanka announce 15-member squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup

The Sri Lankan cricket team will play their opening match of the 2023 ODI World Cup against South Africa in Delhi on October 6. The Sri Lanka team will miss the likes of star leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera in the upcoming mega ICC ODI event. Hasaranga has been the team's star spinner for the last two to three years and was also the leading wicket-taker in the tournament qualifiers. Chameera on the other hand has been leading the team's pace attack after the departure of legend Lasith Malinga but has been struggling with injuries as well. 

Sri Lanka squad for ODI World Cup 2023

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

Travelling reserve: Chamika Karunaratne

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Does Sri Lanka have a chance to repeat the 1996 ODI World Cup heroics? 

The Sri Lankan cricket team has gone through a transition period after the departure of players like Kumar Sangakkara, Ragana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga. The team went through a rough patch after the year 2015 and constantly lost matches in every corner of the world. The Sri Lankan team even lost in its home den. 

However, the team has now started to perform well in the last two to three years and the young players have now started to take up responsibilities. Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka has performed as a captain and an all-rounder which will prove to be very effective for the team in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka have all the talent and intent that is needed to win a tournament and can surprise any team in the upcoming major ICC event.