Sri Lanka are set to face off against New Zealand in a three-match T20I series starting on March 14. This series comes on the heels of a recently concluded ODI series, where New Zealand dominated, winning two out of three matches after the first was washed out due to rain. The New Zealand women’s team, led by Suzie Bates, will look to continue their winning streak, while Sri Lanka, under the leadership of veteran all-rounder Athapaththu, aims to turn the tide in their favour.

Sri Lanka’s cricket team struggles in T20I format

The Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team is currently ranked seventh in the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings, but their recent performances have been far from ideal. The team has faced a string of disappointing results, having lost their last three completed T20I matches. This slump in form has raised concerns about their consistency and ability to compete at the highest level.

Sri Lanka Women have struggled to find momentum in T20I cricket, with their batting and bowling departments failing to click simultaneously. Their batting lineup, which has relied heavily on skipper Chamari Athapaththu, has not provided the necessary support in crunch situations. While Athapaththu remains one of the standout performers, a lack of stability in the middle order has made it difficult for Sri Lanka to post or chase competitive totals. On the bowling front, Sri Lanka’s attack has been inconsistent, failing to apply pressure on opposition batters. Their inability to defend totals and contain runs in the middle overs has been a major concern.

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Sri Lanka’s best playing XI for the T20I series against New Zealand

1. Vishmi Gunaratne

• Role: Vishmi Gunaratne is an aggressive top-order batter who can quickly change the course of the game. Her role is to score runs at a high strike rate, putting pressure on the opposition from the very start.
• Strength: Gunaratne’s aggressive batting style is her biggest strength. She can hit big shots and score boundaries, which is crucial in the powerplay overs. Her ability to take the game away from the opposition early on can be a significant advantage for Sri Lanka.

2. Chamari Athapaththu (c)

• Role: As captain and all-rounder, Athapaththu plays a dual role. She leads the team with her experience and tactical acumen, while also contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
• Strength: Athapaththu is a powerful hitter who can dominate any bowling attack. She is also an effective bowler, capable of picking up crucial wickets. Her leadership and all-round skills make her a key player in turning matches in Sri Lanka’s favor.

3. Harshitha Samarawickrama

• Role: As a top-order batter, Harshitha Samarawickrama is crucial in setting the tone for the innings. She provides stability and ensures that Sri Lanka gets off to a solid start, which is essential in the T20 format where momentum can quickly shift.
• Strength: Samarawickrama is known for her solid defensive skills, which allow her to rotate the strike effectively and build partnerships. Her ability to play long innings can anchor the Sri Lankan batting lineup, providing a foundation for more aggressive batters to follow.

4. Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)

• Role: Anushka Sanjeewani serves as a wicketkeeper-batter, providing solidity in the middle order. She handles the gloves effectively, ensuring that Sri Lanka doesn’t lose wickets due to poor keeping.
• Strength: Sanjeewani offers a safe pair of hands behind the stumps, which is vital in preventing extras and ensuring that the opposition doesn’t get easy runs. She can also contribute valuable runs in the middle order, stabilizing the innings when needed.

5. Nilakshika Silva

• Role: Nilakshika Silva is a middle-order batter known for her ability to stabilize the innings. She plays a crucial role in ensuring that Sri Lanka maintains a steady run rate throughout the innings.
• Strength: Silva provides depth to the batting lineup with her consistent performances. She can rotate the strike effectively and build partnerships, which is essential for maintaining momentum in the middle overs.

6. Kavisha Dilhari

• Role: Kavisha Dilhari is an all-rounder who contributes with both bat and ball. Her role is to provide balance to the team by offering options in both departments.
• Strength: Dilhari’s all-round skills make her a valuable asset in the T20 format. She can score crucial runs in the lower order and pick up wickets at important junctures, making her a game-changer for Sri Lanka.

7. Rashmika Sewwandi

• Role: Rashmika Sewwandi is a bowling all-rounder who can score runs and pick up wickets. Her role is to provide a surprise element with her pace and contribute in the lower order.
• Strength: Sewwandi offers a different dimension with her pace, which can trouble the opposition batters. She can also score crucial runs in the lower order, providing a late surge to the innings.

8. Sugandika Kumari

• Role: Sugandika Kumari is an orthodox spinner known for her wicket-taking ability. Her role is to break crucial partnerships and control the middle overs.
• Strength: Kumari can be very effective in controlling the run rate and picking up wickets. Her ability to break partnerships can put pressure on the opposition, making it difficult for them to accelerate.

9. Udeshika Prabodhani

• Role: Udeshika Prabodhani is an experienced bowler who provides depth to the bowling attack. Her role is to bowl economically and restrict the opposition.
• Strength: Prabodhani’s experience and ability to bowl economically can restrict the opposition’s scoring rate. She can also pick up wickets, making her a reliable option in the Sri Lankan bowling lineup.

10. Achini Kulasooriya

• Role: Achini Kulasooriya is a pace bowler capable of picking up early wickets. Her role is to provide a different dimension with her pace.
• Strength: She offers a different challenge with her pace, which can trouble the opposition batters early on. This can lead to early wickets, putting pressure on the opposition from the start.

11. Inoshi Priyadharshani

• Role: Inoshi Priyadharshani is a bowling option who provides variety to the attack. Her role is to control the run rate and pick up wickets.
• Strength: She can be effective in controlling the run rate and picking up wickets, which helps in maintaining pressure on the opposition throughout the innings.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.