Sri Lanka’s first T20 World Cup-winning squad: Where are they now?

Sri Lanka, 2014 T20 World Cup. (Source – Getty Images)

The T20 World Cup 2014 was the very first time Sri Lanka lifted the prestigious title, defeating the Indian team in the summit clash of the tournament. The side led by Lasith Malinga lifted the title after a hard-fought battle against the Men in Blue and dominating the entirety of the competition. With over a decade since their last T20 World Cup win, let us have a look at where the first T20 World Cup-winning SL squad is:

1. Dinesh Chandimal

Star wicketkeeper batter Dinesh Chandimal still continues to perform on the biggest stage for Sri Lanka. Having played 68 T20Is for Sri Lanka, Chandimal is one of the most experienced players in the side, having scored 1062 runs in the format.

The batter continues to represent the Lankan Lions in Test cricket. However, his white-ball career has been marred by inconsistency.

2. Suranga Lakmal

Suranga Lakmal retired from all formats as well; currently at the age of 37, he played his last T20I game against South Africa in March 2019. He played 11 T20Is for Sri Lanka and took eight wickets in the process.

Lakmal went on to become a regular feature in the Test squad, but the emerging talents took his place, as his economy remained questionable in white-ball format.

3. Kusal Perera

Now 33 years old, Kusal Perara continues to show up for Sri Lanka and put in some good performances in the shortest format. Having played 66 T20Is for Sri Lanka, Perera has amassed 1677 runs to his name and played his last T20I in February 2024.

4. Kumar Sangakkara

The legendary Kumar Sangakkara retired shortly after the T20 World Cup 2014 final; the clash against India was his final one in the format for the national team, and he continues to show for his presence on the field as a coach 10 years later. The former cricketer is currently the director of cricket at IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals.

5. Lahiru Thirimanne

Now 34 years old, Lahiru Thirimanne has retired from international cricket and played his last T20I game in October 2019. The batter amassed 291 runs in the 26 T20Is that he played.

6. TM Dilshan

Ace batter TM Dilshan continued playing for Sri Lanka after the 2014 T20 World Cup and finally retired from the format after playing his final game in September 2016. In the 80 T20Is that Dilshan played for SL, he amassed 1889 runs to his name. The former cricketer continues to play in friendly leagues across the world after bringing down the curtains on his illustrious international career.

7. Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews, after being a part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad, continues to play for Sri Lanka. At the age of 37, Mathews is a part of the T20 World Cup 2024 squad and played Lanka’s tournament opener against South Africa, which they eventually lost shambolically.

8. Thisara Perera

Thisara Perara retired from international cricket, and now, at the age of 35, he played his last T20I game for SL in March 2021. Just a 24-year-old during the T20 World Cup 2014 win, Perera also hit the winning runs in the final. Later, the star all-rounder also captained the Lankan Lions in white-ball format.

After playing his final international game in 2021, the cricketer continues to play domestic cricket for Sri Lanka Army Sports Club.

9. Seekkuge Prasanna

Now 38-year-old, Seekkuge Prasanna played his final T20I for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in October 2017. The all-rounder scored 214 runs and took 10 wickets in the 20 T20Is that he played for the Asian nation.

As Sri Lanka went through a major re-haul in their playing combinations, Prasanna lost his place due to a string of unimpressive performances.

10. Rangana Herath

Rangana Herath played his final T20I match for Sri Lanka in March 2016. The star bowler competed in 17 T20Is for the side, where he took 18 wickets and remains a true legend of the game.

The 46-year-old currently has stayed away from playing any form of cricket, but stays connected with the sport in different coaching roles.

11. Nuwan Kulasekara

Nuwan Kulasekara is also retired from every format of the game. Being a part of the WC-winning squad, Kulasekara played his final T20I for the side in 2016 and ended his 20-over career with 66 wickets in 58 appearances for the Lankan Lions.

The former pacer suddenly disappeared from international cricket, and as new talents were on hold, the selectors eventually decided to ignore Kulasekara

12. Ajantha Mendis

39-year-old Ajanthan Mendis played his final T20I for Sri Lanka against England in March 2014, as part of the same campaign that the side went on to win. The spinner was brilliant on his day, taking 66 wickets in 39 T20Is played for the national team.

13. Sachithra Senanayake

Sachithra Senanayake called it quits on his international career in 2016 as well. With 25 wickets in 24 T20Is for Sri Lanka, Senanayake made sure that he performed to the best of his abilities whenever he was given a chance. After representing the national side, the spinner continued playing domestic cricket in the island nation, with his last outing being in 2022.

14. Mahela Jayawardene

Veteran batter Mahela Jayawardene retired after winning the T20 World Cup in 2014; the summit clash against India was his final T20I game, and it is safe to say that he is one of the biggest legends of Sri Lankan cricket. Currently, Jayawardene was a part of Mumbai Indians as head coach until Mark Boucher took over in 2023.

15. Lasith Malinga

Ace pacer Lasith Malinga enjoyed a marvellous and very successful career. The star played in 84 T20Is throughout his career and took 136 wickets, terrorising batters across the globe. He played his last T20I match in 2020 and currently coaches and mentors sides.

The former pacer is currently with Mumbai Indians as the fast bowling coach, and is involved in key strategy making for the five-time champions.