Sri Lanka’s selectors have been jolted into action following the team’s 2-1 T20I series defeat to Bangladesh, their first-ever loss to their South Asian neighbours in the shortest format. Chairman of Selectors Upul Tharanga has now confirmed that a sweeping overhaul of the T20 side is on the cards, with the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on home soil just over a year away.
In a candid interview with Telecom Asia Sport, Tharanga didn’t hold back in his assessment. “We’ve simply been too inconsistent with the bat,” he said. “We’ve tried different combinations, but it’s time to bring in fresh blood.”
Sri Lanka’s recent batting failures, being skittled out for 94 in Dambulla (their lowest T20I total at home), followed by a subpar 132 in the Colombo decider, laid bare the team’s middle-order struggles and inability to respond under pressure.
New thinking ahead for Sri Lanka?
Tharanga is now eyeing domestic performers like Nuwanidu Fernando and Pawan Rathnayake as potential additions.
“They’ve earned their chances. We need energy, hunger, and composure — especially in the middle overs,” he stressed. There’s also a renewed interest in Janith Liyanage, a reliable ODI middle-order bat. “He’s not a power-hitter, but he reads the game well,” Tharanga noted. “He adds value as a fielder and a calm presence when things get tense.”
On the bowling front, Sri Lanka’s deep pace reserves are creating a different challenge: tough selection calls. With room for only two frontline quicks in most playing XIs, names like Matheesha Pathirana and Dushmantha Chameera may not get consistent game time. “We have options, but balance is key,” Tharanga said. “You can’t pick everyone, so we need to be smart about who plays when.”
While other T20 giants continue to lean on boundary-hitters, Sri Lanka still struggle with firepower.
“Even in 2014, when we won the title, we weren’t reliant on brute force… That’s missing now,” Tharanga admitted. To plug that gap, the SLC has roped in Julian Wood, an English power-hitting coach with IPL and international experience.
“It’s a good move,” said Tharanga. “The boys must absorb as much as they can. T20 cricket is evolving, and we need to keep up.”
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