Much has been made of Sri Lanka's vulnerabilities post the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, so much so that the cricketing world has almost missed the emergence of quite a few players from the Island Nation.
In the recently concluded Tri-Series that Lanka won, they exhibited a hoard of new players, who delivered the goods, albeit against Zimbabwe and West Indies. While their capabilities are yet to be tested against mainstream cricketing nations, a series win away from home without their regular captain (Angelo Matthews) and strike bowler (Rangana Herath), is no mean feat.
Also read: The new Sri Lankan nucleus: Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis and Dilruwan Perera
In the ODI series against Australia, which they lost, they witnessed the last of another veteran in Tillakaratne Dilshan. There is no doubt that the team is in a rebuilding phase. But unlike the time they lost Sangakkara and Jayawardene, they were more prepared for Dilshan's absence.
The new players brought in have been shuffled around to find the best among the lot and there are quite a few of them. Let us take a glance at five of them, who, if groomed properly, can turn out to be match winners for Lanka in the future.
#5 Niroshan Dickwella
The attacking wicketkeeper-batsman made his name in school cricket before churning out some mesmerising performances in List A cricket to attract the attention of the selectors. Having graduated from school in 2012 as the best Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year, Dickwella made it to the Sri Lanka A side the very next year.
He plays for Nondescripts Cricket Club and has been their regular wicketkeeper. A call-up to the national side came in 2014 and now at just 23 years of age, he has already represented Lanka in all formats of the game. His Test debut came against South Africa in 2014, when he made a terrific half-century, which to date remains his only half-century.
His ODI debut came later that year and despite being picked initially for the World T20 in 2016 in India, he was dropped due to poor form. In 6 ODIs, Dickwella has an average of 36.6 and a top score of 94.
#4 Dasun Shanaka
Shanaka is an explosive seam bowling all-rounder capable of hitting the ball a long way. Playing for Sinhalese Sports Club, Shanaka made a name as a dependable player. Though his T20 debut against Pakistan came in 2015, he made his name in the AIA Premier T20 match, where he smoked a 46 ball 123 that included 16 sixes. This followed a 48 ball 131 the previous week and people started noticing this lad.
In International Cricket, he made his name as a solid bowler when he took 3/16 against India in a T20. His knocks in the World T20 earned him a spot in the Test squad for England. His debut in Tests was even more spectacular. He dismissed 3 batsmen before conceding a run on his debut, the wickets including that of Cook and Root.
Although he has made a name for himself as a more than decent bowler, much of his ability lies with the willow. While he has shown glimpses of his antics with the bat, they are yet to turn into match winning performances. Expect more from this youngster in the coming years.
#3 Sachith Pathirana
Another all-rounder, Pathirana was a star during his under-19 stint. He captained the under-19 side on several tours and scored 281 runs to go with 19 wickets in the 2008 Youth World Cup. A handy left-arm spinner, Pathirana started putting in eye-catching performances since moving to Chilaw Marians Club in 2012.
He was handed an ODI debut against Pakistan in Pallekele in July, 2015. He has played 10 ODIs to date, impressing with both bat and ball. He has an average of 31.8 in 10 ODIs coming in to bat at 7 or lower and has also taken 10 wickets with a best of 3/37.
His List A numbers suggest a bright future. In 83 matches he has 1540 runs and has taken 104 scalps. Lanka, missing spinning all-rounders since the retirement of Jayasuriya and Dilshan can bank on Pathirana to partially fill their shoes.
#2 Dhananjaya de Silva
An established top order batsman, de Silva is Lanka's replacement for Dilshan. He is technically correct and already has a Test century to his name against the mighty Aussies at home. In the third Test of the series, de Silva smacked a 129 after his team were in trouble at 26/5.
He joined hands with Chandimal in that Test to record his maiden Test ton, and also topped the run charts for the series plundering 325 runs at an average of 65. His off spin bowling also got noticed during the series.
In the ODIs that followed, he was given a chance to open and welcomed it with both hands by smashing 76. In Tests, he continued his prolific run, notching up a second Test hundred in the series against Zimbabwe. At 25, this kid is one for the future.
#1 Kusal Mendis
The new no.3 batsman for Sri Lanka, Mendis emerged as a bright player from his school days in 2013. He was picked in the under-19 squad for the 2014 U-19 World Cup and made his Lanka debut when Windies toured in 2015.
In the first Test against the visiting Aussies at Pallekele, Mendis smacked his first Test hundred, a brilliant 176 that led his team to victory and earned him the Man of the Match award. His ODI performances have been equally impressive.
Delightful stroke play has been the highlight of his batting and in the recently concluded Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, he walked away with the Man of the Series award. His 73 ball 94 against Windies in the 1 run win and a half century in the final earned him Man of the Match awards.
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