Things are not going well for the Sri Lankan Cricket team. In a major blow to Sri Lanka’s campaign in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, the team’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a right thigh muscle injury.
The injury occurred during Sri Lanka’s match against Pakistan on October 10, and the recovery process is expected to take approximately three weeks.
A seasoned Sri Lankan cricketer, Dimuth Karunaratne, has been named as Shanaka’s replacement. Karunaratne, who has represented Sri Lanka in 23 ODIs, brings a wealth of experience and leadership qualities to the team.
Dimuth Karunaratne has been travelling with the team as a reserve player, making his transition into the team smoother.
While he hasn’t played for Sri Lanka since appearing in a T20I against New Zealand earlier in April, he boasts a rich international cricket career, with more than 60 appearances for his country across all formats.
With Kusal Mendis likely to assume a key role in leading the team on the field, Sri Lanka is looking to adapt to this change in leadership swiftly and effectively.
Mendis, a prominent figure in Sri Lankan cricket, will play a crucial role in rallying the team and maintaining their competitive edge in the World Cup. Kusal Mendis have performed really well so far. He scored 198 runs in just 2 matches with a strike rate of 166.39.
The process of selecting and including a replacement player requires approval from the Event Technical Committee to ensure compliance with tournament regulations and fairness. This meticulous procedure underscores the importance of adhering to the tournament’s guidelines while making such critical changes.
Sri Lanka’s performance in the World Cup got underway with matches against South Africa and Pakistan, producing mixed results. In a memorable contest against Pakistan, Sri Lanka set a challenging total of 344.
However, their spirited effort was in vain as Pakistan successfully chased down the target, with the help of centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique.
Sri Lanka’s upcoming encounter against Australia holds significant importance for both teams, as Australia is also keen to recover after facing back-to-back defeats against India and South Africa.
With the change in leadership and renewed determination, Sri Lanka is determined to bounce back in the World Cup, making the match against Australia a key moment in their campaign.
The absence of Dasun Shanaka due to injury is a setback, but Sri Lanka is determined to face the challenges ahead with resilience and determination as they continue their quest for glory in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023, IND vs PAK: India Conquer Pakistan With A Convincing 7-Wicket Victory
