Desperate changes in must win game

By Champika Fernando in Delhi

Middle-order batter Dhananjaya de Silva is likely to get a promotion up the order as Sri Lanka desperately look for a reliable opening partner with Pathum Nissanka during their eighth World Cup fixture against Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this afternoon.

The change comes as both Kusal Perera and Dimuth Karunaratne have struggled to cement their places at the top of the order. Sri Lanka’s only solid opening stand came against Australia when Nissanka and Perera stitched a 125-run opening stand. De Silva himself has been low on confidence, with scores of 11, 25, 7, 30 and 14 in the five innings he batted in the World Cup.

However, in a must-win situation to secure its place at the 2025 Champions Trophy, the team management is looking to switch things around. De Silva has opened the batting in eight ODIs, scoring 285 runs at 47.50 before he was pushed into the middle-order.

His promotion is also prompted by Dimuth Karunaratne’s absence for the Bangladesh game. The Test skipper is reportedly suffering from a stomach bug and has been ruled out of the clash.

In Karunaratne’s absence, Perera will return to the side, having sat out the last two games--but this time as a middle-order batter, probably at No. 7.
Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage is likely to come in for leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha in the playing XI. The twenty-year-old Wellalage has played three games so far in the tournament, taking two wickets while Hemantha is yet to claim a wicket. He has played two games.

Squads:

Sri Lanka team (probable XI): Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka

Bangladesh team from: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.