How Did Sri Lanka Stumble in the 2024 T20 World Cup?

The cricketing world witnessed a disappointing spectacle as Sri Lanka’s journey in the 2024 T20 World Cup took an unexpected turn, veering towards an early exit. With just one point from three matches, Wanindu Hasaranga’s squad finds themselves teetering on the brink of elimination. The rain-affected match against Nepal, scheduled on June 11, only added insult to injury.

As the final group stage encounter against the Netherlands looms, Sri Lanka’s fate hangs in the balance, with only a slim chance of progression. In this post-mortem analysis, we delve into the underlying factors contributing to Sri Lanka’s downfall in the tournament.

Batting Failure

The most glaring issue plaguing Sri Lanka throughout the tournament has been their abysmal performance with the bat. From the outset, their batting lineup faltered, succumbing to South Africa’s onslaught in their opening encounter in New York. The Lankan batters appeared hapless against a formidable South African attack, failing to stitch together meaningful partnerships on a challenging surface. Instead of consolidating, they resorted to reckless strokes, leading to a dismal total of 77 runs, ultimately resulting in a six-wicket defeat.

Their woes continued against Bangladesh in Dallas, where they squandered yet another opportunity to post a competitive total. Despite a promising start, with the scoreboard reading 100/3 after 14 overs, Sri Lanka faltered spectacularly, losing wickets in quick succession. The inability to capitalize on the foundation laid led to a paltry score of 124/9, exacerbating their predicament.

Mid-Innings Misery

Another crucial aspect of Sri Lanka’s unraveling was their ineffectiveness in the middle overs, both with bat and ball. While defending a meager total against South Africa, their bowlers displayed early promise by snaring two wickets in the powerplay. However, their fortunes took a nosedive in the middle overs (7-15), as they managed to pick up only two wickets while hemorrhaging runs. This allowed South Africa to seize control of the game, ultimately sealing victory.

A similar narrative unfolded against Bangladesh, where Sri Lanka’s bowlers found success in the powerplay but faltered when it mattered most. Despite a spirited effort in the death overs, their inability to make inroads during the crucial middle phase proved costly. Had they managed to pick up a few wickets during this period, the outcome of the matches could have been vastly different.

The Failure of Experienced Players

In challenging times, teams typically depend on their veteran players to step up and guide the way. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, their seasoned stars fell short when it counted. Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, and captain Wanindu Hasaranga all faced criticism for their underwhelming performances during crucial moments.

Mendis, entrusted with anchoring the innings, managed a mere 29 runs in two matches, failing to provide stability at the top. Mathews and Shanaka, entrusted with the responsibility of steering the middle order, faltered under pressure, contributing 32 and 12 runs, respectively. Meanwhile, Hasaranga’s struggles were compounded by his inability to open his account despite being promoted up the order. The underwhelming displays from these seasoned campaigners dealt a severe blow to Sri Lanka’s aspirations, exacerbating their predicament.

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