Though the Sri Lankan cricket team couldn't qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, they're still dusting powerful teams on the field. Under Charith Asalanka's leadership, Sri Lanka recently whitewashed world champions Australia 2-0 in a One Day International (ODI) series. The second match saw them clinch victory by a record 174 runs, marking Sri Lanka's largest ODI win against Australia.
Conquering Giants: Sri Lanka's Stellar Performance
Why stop at Australia? Within a year, Sri Lanka has crushed top-tier teams like India and New Zealand on home turf. Central to these victories is Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya. Appointed post the T20 World Cup 2024, his guidance has shifted the trajectory for Sri Lanka's national team, resurrecting their fortunes. His leadership literally flipped the scripts.
Source: aajtak
First on the list of scalps was India, as Sri Lanka, under Jayasuriya's stewardship, claimed a 2-0 win in a three-match ODI series on home soil—a feat last achieved 27 years ago. Back in 1997, it was the Sri Lankan team, then captained by Arjuna Ranatunga, who last trounced India under Sachin Tendulkar. Under 'Guru' Jayasuriya's leadership, Sri Lanka also clinched a memorable Test victory against England at the Oval, marking a decade since their last Test win over the English team.
Subsequently, Sri Lanka made headlines by securing a 2-0 win in a Test series against New Zealand at home. Then came the West Indies, who faced defeat in both ODI and T20 formats in their Sri Lanka tour. More commendable performances saw Sri Lanka end a T20 series 1-1 with New Zealand and clinched an ODI series 2-0 against them. Although they faced defeat in an away series against New Zealand and succumbed to Australia 0-2 in a Test series, their victory against Australia in the ODI series signals the resurgence of Sri Lankan cricket glory.
Looking at Sri Lanka's cricket history, it's a tale of golden achievements. Under Arjuna Ranatunga's captaincy, the team brought home the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup. They reached the finals in both the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and claimed the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup title.
After legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Rangana Herath retired, the team's performance waned. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Sri Lanka won only two out of nine matches, ranking ninth and missing a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Source: aajtak
The top-8 teams in the 2023 ODI World Cup secured passes to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Previously, Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup performance was average, failing to progress beyond the group stage. Following that, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as head coach, and under his tutelage, the team has been invigorated.
Memorable Victories Under Jayasuriya's Coaching:
2-0 win against India in the ODI series Victory in England - A Test win after a decade 2-0 Test series win against New Zealand 2-1 T20 series victory over the West Indies 2-1 ODI series triumph against the West Indies 1-1 T20 series draw against New Zealand 2-0 ODI series win against New Zealand 2-0 ODI series triumph over Australia
Sanath Jayasuriya: Transforming Matches with His Skills...
Sanath Jayasuriya, 55, is one of the game's ultimate all-rounders. Over a 22-year career, he charted numerous match-winning performances for Sri Lanka. A pivotal member of the 1996 World Cup-winning squad, his explosive batting style redefined opening strategies. The whirlwind innings with Romesh Kaluwitharana remains etched in cricket fans' memories.
In 110 Test matches, Jayasuriya amassed 6,973 runs with 14 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His ODI stats are striking: 13,430 runs at an average of 32.36 across 445 matches, boasting 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries. In 31 T20 outings, he made 629 runs. As a bowler, he impressed with 440 international wickets. Jayasuriya retired from international cricket in 2011.
