Sri Lanka gears up for ICC T20 World Cup

Bhanuka Rajapaksa makes a return after recovering from injuries

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

The Sri Lankan preliminary T20 Cricket Squad, consisting of 32 players selected by the National Cricket Selection Committee, has commenced training ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June 2024.
The players are currently training at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the final squad will be announced by mid-May. 
The initial 32-player squad will then be pruned down to 20, ultimately leading to the selection of the final 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.
Several players included in the 32-member preliminary squad are currently participating in the ongoing IPL in India.
Several experienced players have been included in the preliminary squad including Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Janith Perera. 
Also, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne and Promod Madushan are among the others alongside rising talents like Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana. 
Meanwhile, an attacking left-handed batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa makes a return to the squad after recovering from injuries.
Of particular interest is the inclusion of young leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, recently named for the Sunrisers Hyderabad Team, replacing the injured Wanindu Hasaranga. 
The selectors plan to include these players in the upcoming T20 domestic tournaments to identify and nurture talent before the final World Cup selections.
Despite missing the ongoing IPL season due to injury, Hasaranga is expected to play a pivotal role as the Captain of the Sri Lankan T20 Team. 
Charith Asalanka will be the Vice-Captain with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kamindu Mendis adding depth to the squad.
Meanwhile, new additions to the coaching staff include Sri Lanka’s Fast Bowling Coach Anusha Samaranayake and former Pakistan pace bowler Aqib Javed, who will be with the team until the completion of the T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka is placed in Group ‘D’ alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal with their opening match against South Africa on June 3 in New York.
The 32 member preliminary T20 Squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice-Captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dhananjaya, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Promod Madushan, Mahesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Jeffrey Vandersay and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.