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Sri Lanka cricket team, the 2014 T20 World Cup champions, have not tasted the success in a long while. In fact, since their star players retired, Sri Lanka have not even made it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka will be kicking things off with a tough time, against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Sri Lanka have been placed Group D in the T20 World Cup 2024. They have South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal for company with South Africa favourite to win the group. Although Sri Lanka team on paper don’t strong, they have some great depth in their team and would certainly be hoping that they don’t only qualify from the group but top the group. Let’s take a look at Sri Lanka’s top 5 key players in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Kusal Mendis

29-years-old wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Mendis is one of the most aggressive batter in the Sri Lanka squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Kusal Mendis has played 64 T20Is since making his debut in 2016 and has scored 1554 runs with an average of 25.1 and strike rate of 135.7. Kusal was in great form in the T20I series vs Bangladesh. He also scored 86 runs in 55 balls in the series decider to help Sri Lanka win the series.

Dasun Shanaka

Sri Lanka’s former captain Dasun Shanaka will be another player to watch out for. Dasun Shanaka is a great batter who adaps according to situation and can play innings accordingly. He can also play those big shots towards the backend of the inning, where he mostly plays. He has played 97 T20I matches since his debut in 2015. He has scored 1444 runs with an average of 20.9 and strike rate of 123.4.

Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana made a name for himself in the U19 World Cup and then joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL to further gain popularity. He is touted as the next Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka, as he bowls with almost similar bowling action to the Sri Lanka great. He has played only 6 T20I matches and taken 11 wickets in those. Meanwhile, he has bagged 34 wickets in 20 matches in the IPL playing for Chennai Super Kings. Watch out for his boy and his yorkers in the deaths.

Dilshan Madushanka

Where Matheesha Pathirana will be the bowler to watch out for in the death overs, watch out for Dilshan Madushanka in the powerplay overs. Dilshan Madushanka shot to fame in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 where he was consistently taking big wickets in the powerplay. He bagged a total of 23 wickets in the World Cup. As a result, he got 4.60 crore bid from Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024 Auction. However, he didn’t feature in the IPL due to injury. The 23-years-old has played 14 T20I matches since his debut in 2022 and has taken 14 wickets.

Wanindu Hasaranga

Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga will be the lead spin bowler for his side in the T20 World Cup 2024. Wanindu Hasaranga is recognised as one of the best leg-spin bowler in the world now, currently ranked 2nd in the bowlers T20I ranking. Hasaranga made his debut in 2019 and played 65 matches so far and has taken 104 wickets. He is also a handy batter who can smash the ball out of the park. He has scored 650 runs with a strike rate of 130.5. He also has excellent record in the IPL, taking 35 wickets in 26 matches. He missed the IPL 2024 due to injury.

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