5 men who can turn things around for Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cricket has been going through a rough patch in 2017. In October, for the third time this year, the team was whitewashed in a five-match ODI series. This time, at the hands of Pakistan. The team suffered the same fates against India and South Africa earlier this year.

With the India tour looming, Sri Lanka needs to gear itself up for what will certainly be an uphill task.

Here are some players who have shown promise during this nightmare of a season, and should be given chances to blossom.

#1 Kusal Mendis

Age-22, Tests-22, Runs-1,441, Avg-33.51, Highest score-194

Kusal Mendis is a promising prospect for Sri Lanka in the post-Sangakkara/Jayawardena era. He is a vital cog in the Sri Lanka team.

He made his presence felt in the international scene during the home Tests against Australia. His knock against India in Colombo was truly magnificent, and proved his class and adaptability as a batsman.

Mendis should be given enough opportunities to prove himself at this level because he has the talent, skill and temperament to be successful in Test cricket.

The team needs batsman like Mendis to step up if it wants to get back to its winning ways.

#2 Sadeera Samarawickrama

Age-22, First Class matches-28, Runs-2,121, Avg-46.10, Highest score-185

Sadeera Samarawickrama

This gem of a player is still an unknown name in world cricket. He has played only in one Test, two ODIs and one T20I.

He showcased his talents in the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai. He was unflappable against Pakistan's bowlers, attacking them from the get-go.

This new kid on the block should not be neglected by team selectors, and should be given the opportunity to play against India.

The Sri Lankan team should consider him as an opener in the place of Kaushal Silva. He could form a good opening partnership with Dimuth Karunaratne and be a match winner if he plays to his full potential.

#3 Niroshan Dickwella

Age-24, Tests-12, Runs-783, Avg-35.59, Highest score-81

Niroshan Dickwella's batting unsettled the Pakistanis in UAE

Niroshan Dickwella, an aggressive young wicketkeeper-batsman, is an important member of the Sri Lankan cricket team. His prowess with the bat in the Pakistan tour helped the team play an extra bowling option on the flat surfaces in the UAE.

He showcased his attacking instincts against India and even earned huge praise from former Sri Lankan cricketers.

Having scored 224 runs at 37.33 at No. 6 in the recent home series, he must be itching to score more runs against India in November-December.

#4 Lakshan Sandakan

Age-26, Tests-7, Wickets-20, Avg-35.65, Best match figures-5/132

The chinaman bowler can be relied on to unsettle the Indian batsmen

Rangana Herath is the main go-to bowler for Sri Lanka, but Sandakan is a special talent and must be encouraged to improve his performance.

The bowler got his best figure of 5/132 in the third home Test against India. He will not get enough bounce from the pitches in India, but he remains a good attacking option for Sri Lanka.

He would be a great addition to the side if he can play to his potential, and would be an ideal third spinner on the rank turners in India.

#5 Akila Dananjaya

Age-24, First Class matches-34, Wickets-98, Avg-28.31

Akila Dananjaya's celebration after taking a wicket

Akila Dananjaya is an another attacking option for Sri Lanka. He is still uncapped in Test cricket, but has already proved his mettle in ODI.

The spin bowling department is in the safe hands of Dilruwan Perera and Rangana Herath, but this unconventional spinner should be taken to India because of his heroics with the ball in Pallekele where he took a brilliant 6/54.

He has some fantastic variations in his bowling (like the carrom ball and doosra) that would be handy on the spinner-friendly tracks in India.

He would be competing with Lakshan Sandakan for the third spinner's slot in the playing XI.