‘There could be a chance that we play three spinners sometimes’ – Upul Tharanga reflects on Sri Lanka’s bowling make-up for T20 World Cup

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Sri Lanka Cricket’s national selector, Upul Tharanga, recently came forward to talk about Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Tharanga opined that he felt going with three spinners in the playing XI could be a good option in the tournament.

It is worth noting that Sri Lanka’s squad has Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Dunith Wellalage, who can supplement other spin options such as skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana.

“There could be a chance that we play three spinners sometimes. Looking at that is why we picked Dunith, particularly his batting, because sometimes we could go with him ahead of a fast-bowling all-rounder,”  Tharanga was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

“As for Dhananjaya, we value his bowling. And about power-hitting, we think we can get that from elsewhere in the side. In terms of his all-round input, and taking into consideration the conditions, he was a better option,” he added.

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We have players to bowl at the death: Tharanga

Furthermore, Upul Tharanga talked about the injury situation of star pacer Matheesha Pathirana. The selector hoped that Pathirana would be fit in time for the World Cup, and through him, they would have some much-needed firepower in the death overs. It is worth noting that Sri Lanka will begin their World Cup campaign by taking on South Africa on June 3, and Pathirana will be expected to feature for the team.

“We have players to bowl at the death, but it’s in the Powerplay that we need to focus on picking up wickets. So for that, we have Madushanka and then as a travelling reserve, we have Asitha,” Tharanga said.

“If we take our side, Thushara, Pathirana they can bowl in the death overs. But we needed someone that could come in if we needed a wicket-taking option with the new ball, which is why we went with Asitha ,” he added.