Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka’s men’s cricket team, has outlined his ambition to elevate the team to the top echelons of international cricket, targeting a spot in the top three of both the ICC T20I and ODI rankings.
Coming off a successful run of three consecutive series victories, including triumphs against India and West Indies, Asalanka believes the team can recapture the level of performance that defined Sri Lankan cricket between 2007 and 2014. That period saw Sri Lanka reach five World Cup finals across both formats, culminating in their victory at the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup.
“We need to climb up the rankings because that shows we’ve been consistently winning,” said Asalanka. “Our goal is to climb to the top three. If we are consistently winning, when we go to ICC tournaments, we won’t get exposed. We are hoping to come back to that level.”
Sri Lanka currently sits at No. 6 in the ICC ODI rankings and No. 8 in T20Is, and Asalanka is determined to elevate their standing. He emphasized that achieving consistent success on the international stage will allow Sri Lanka to perform well at major ICC events and avoid the early exits that have plagued them since their golden era.
One of the key factors in Sri Lanka’s recent resurgence has been the emergence of new talent, with players like Janith Liyanage and Nishan Madushka stepping up in recent series. Despite their success, Asalanka stressed the importance of fielding a strong and settled lineup.
“We’ve only recently started winning a few matches in a row,” Asalanka explained. “Until the base of our cricket improves, we’re trying to play our best XI. The players on the bench have also had a chance and performed well, and that helps strengthen our squad.”
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Asalanka’s goal is to build a pool of 15-16 players who are capable of competing at the highest level, ensuring that the team remains competitive across formats. For now, the captain is focused on maintaining consistency, both in terms of player performance and team results.
As Sri Lanka prepares for their upcoming series against New Zealand, Asalanka’s leadership will be tested, but his clear vision of returning the team to the top of world cricket is driving the squad forward.