This year has been nothing short of a phoenix-like rise for Sri Lankan cricket. A team that was floundering in 2023 – finishing a dismal ninth in the World Cup and missing out on the Champions Trophy – has now soared above expectations, punching well above their weight and achieving remarkable feats across all formats. Their rise has been meteoric, improving rankings in every format. These are indeed thrilling times for anyone following Sri Lankan cricket.
For the record, Sri Lanka has participated in 14 bilateral series in 2024, winning 11 of them—a jaw-dropping statistic. Especially at home, they’ve been as invincible as fortress walls, clinching nine out of ten series.
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The only blot on their 2024 canvas was the ICC T-20 World Cup, where they stumbled and failed to make the second round. But since then, the story has been one of redemption. A Test win in England after a decade, an ODI series victory against India after 27 years, and a Test series triumph over New Zealand after 15 long years. The question on everyone’s lips is – what magic potion have they been drinking?
Yes, their fielding was far from perfect during the second ODI against the West Indies. But make no mistake, fielding has been one of their primary focuses. This is a team that couldn’t catch a cold during last year’s World Cup, yet now they’re diving around the field with boundless energy, pulling off spectacular catches like they’ve been doing it their whole lives.
The secret to their success lies in setting short-term goals and cashing in on those results. Apart from their renewed emphasis on fielding, other key aspects have transformed their game. For instance, running between the wickets – something that used to be their Achilles’ heel – has improved significantly. Even the slowest movers are now stretching for those vital extra runs. They’ve taken a leaf out of the Australian playbook with the ‘one for the throw’ mentality, and boy, has it paid off!
Sure, there have been a few comical run-outs, but by and large, their running has been sharp and aggressive.
Fitness has also been a major area of focus. No one gets a free pass anymore. Those not up to scratch have been shown the door, only to return with an ultimatum – shape up or ship out.
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Looking at the bigger picture, they’ve stressed long-term improvements too, focusing on power-hitting for batters and discipline for bowlers. The High-Performance Center at RPS has been grooming the next generation to perfection. Just look at Nishan Peiris, walking into the side and delivering a match-winning performance, or the success story of Kamindu Mendis.
Kamindu has been a revelation, achieving success most cricketers only dream of. Five Test hundreds and three fifties in just seven matches, across all conditions – it’s the stuff of legend! No wonder he now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Don Bradman as the third fastest to 1,000 Test runs.
Selection, often the chink in the armour of any team, has also undergone a sea change. Upul Tharanga and his panel have been shrewd in their choices. Gone are the days when players were thrown in and discarded without thought. Take the case of Dunith Wellalage – he played a Test before he ever played a T-20 International. Or Maheesh Theekshana, who was done and dusted after two Test matches or Jeffrey Vandersay, who was thrown out after just one Test. Under Tharanga’s watchful eye, players are now given a proper run before the axe falls.
While Kamindu has ruled the roost in Test cricket, several players have hit purple patches in the white-ball format. Pathum Nissanka, for instance, has been nothing short of phenomenal. He became the first Sri Lankan to score a double century in ODI cricket with a masterclass against Afghanistan at Pallekele. Not only that, but he’s also the world’s leading run-scorer in ODIs this year, despite missing two series. Hot on his heels is Charith Asalanka, who has scripted several middle-order miracles.
In T20 cricket, Kusal Mendis has been the match-winner, notably pulling off a hard-fought series victory against the West Indies alongside his dependable partner, Pathum Nissanka.
The road ahead promises to be just as thrilling. The next eight weeks will be crucial as Sri Lanka fight for a spot in the World Test Championship final. Wins against South Africa and Australia could send them all the way to London—a prospect that seemed like a pipe dream at the start of the year.
Sri Lanka have backed themselves. They’ve made smart choices, played with passion, and given themselves a fighting chance. Watching them turn the tide has been nothing short of exhilarating. The fans will be hoping that this wave of success continues to swell.
