Sri Lanka’s ambitious march to dominate all three formats of cricket gained significant traction in 2024. However, 2025 has brought its share of stumbling blocks. The ODI and T20 series in New Zealand ended on a sour note, with Sri Lanka losing both. Despite the setbacks, a consolation win in the dead rubber provided a faint silver lining.
While the ODI performances left much to be desired, Sri Lanka came agonizingly close to clinching the T20 series. In the opening T20, they had no business losing – a classic case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. It was a heartbreaker, leaving fans shaking their heads in disbelief.
When it comes to ODIs, particularly on foreign soil, it’s clear that Sri Lanka need to iron out a few wrinkles if they are to stay competitive. Yet, not all is doom and gloom.
The team’s fielding has been right on the money – a dramatic turnaround from the debacle of the 2023 World Cup. Back then, Sri Lanka finished ninth, failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy, and were let down by a series of butterfingered displays.
In response, the team has rolled up its sleeves and done away with the once-popular “optional training” sessions. These days, you’ll see the players honing their fielding skills on what used to be their day off. The results of this conscious effort are plain to see, with Sri Lanka’s fielding now a cornerstone of their game.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack has been as reliable as sunrise. The pace unit consistently strikes early blows, while the spinners tighten the screws in the middle overs. However, the batting has been a mixed bag, with the middle order proving to be the Achilles’ heel.
Collapses have been a nagging problem across formats, particularly in the 50-over game. While the top order’s occasional failure can be excused, given its otherwise consistent performance, the middle order’s inability to steady the ship remains a glaring issue.
Kamindu Mendis has often been the glue holding the innings together, but it’s unfair to expect one man to carry the burden every time. Meanwhile, captain Charith Asalanka had a series to forget, marred by ill-judged decisions like a reckless single to mid-off. Yet, let’s not be too quick to judge—Asalanka was phenomenal in 2024, scripting memorable run chases and anchoring competitive totals with aplomb.
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka delivered too little, too late in New Zealand. Mendis, despite being the world’s leading run-scorer in 2024, always seems just a couple of failures away from facing the wrath of his detractors. The criticism often overlooks his consistency and impact on the game.
Nissanka, on the other hand, is a joy to watch when he gets going. His effortless stroke play makes batting look like a walk in the park, as he showcased in Auckland before an untimely groin injury cut his innings short.
For years, Sri Lanka lamented the absence of players in the top ten of the ICC rankings. Now, with stars like Nissanka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Wanindu Hasaranga breaking through, there’s hope that these players can shoulder the team’s expectations. One bad series doesn’t spell disaster, and the signs are there that Sri Lanka is turning the tide in 50-over cricket.
One area requiring urgent attention is whether the team can afford to include both Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Janith Liyanage in the XI. The duo, while talented, brings similar skill sets to the table, and a team can ill afford redundancy in international cricket.
The selectors can’t be faulted entirely, as both players have excelled in domestic cricket. However, history shows that club-level all-rounders often struggle to replicate their success on the big stage. Wickramasinghe, in particular, has the raw pace to become a match-winner if nurtured carefully. At the moment, though, he remains a rough diamond—a work in progress and, at times, a liability.
Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand ended with a heavy heart. The cold winds and unforgiving conditions of Kiwi cricket are a tough nut to crack, and the team had their moments but couldn’t capitalize. A bit more application could have seen them over the line in a few games, but such is cricket—filled with “what-ifs” and “if-onlys.”
Despite the disappointing results, this tour was a learning experience – a stepping stone in their journey. The team may return home licking their wounds, but there’s a sense that they’re on the verge of something special. As the saying goes, “every cloud has a silver lining,” and Sri Lanka’s climb back to the summit of world cricket may just be gathering steam.
