Sri Lanka’s World Cup 2023 campaign has hit a major roadblock with the news that their star spinner, Maheesh Theekshana, has been ruled out of the tournament due to a lingering hamstring injury.
This setback was confirmed by their head coach, Chris Silverwood. Theekshana’s availability had been in doubt ever since he missed the Asia Cup final, but he was included in the World Cup squad with hopes of a recovery.
To make matters worse, Sri Lanka is also missing another key player, Wanindu Hasaranga, who is also sidelined due to injury. With two of their star performers unavailable, Sri Lanka faces a significant challenge in this World Cup. However, history has shown that they can defy the odds.
Despite missing key players in the Asia Cup as well, Sri Lanka managed to impress by reaching the final of the tournament. Under the leadership of Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka has performed admirably in recent major tournaments. Their resilience and determination have been a hallmark of their play, and they will need to draw upon those qualities in the absence of Theekshana and Hasaranga.
Sri Lanka has won the World Cup only once, back in 1996, under the inspired leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga. Interestingly, that World Cup was also held in the Indian subcontinent, and Sri Lanka was considered an underdog at the time.
Similarly, in this World Cup, they are not among the top favorites. However, cricket has a way of springing surprises, and Sri Lanka has the potential to upset the odds once again.
As the World Cup unfolds in India, all eyes will be on the Lankan Lions as they embark on this challenging journey. Their ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure will be closely watched, making this World Cup an intriguing and exciting spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.
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