The Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka is set to begin on November 27 at Kingsmead, Durban.

Sri Lanka’s key strengths and challenges

Sri Lanka’s combination of experienced players like Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne, along with emerging stars like Kamindu Mendis, makes them a formidable unit. Their spin attack led by Prabath Jayasuriya can be game-changing on South African pitches.

Having recently whitewashed New Zealand 2-0 in their last Test series, Sri Lanka enters the contest with momentum. However, adapting to South Africa’s pace-friendly conditions will test their batting resilience. The two-match series holds immense importance as Sri Lanka aims to solidify its position in the ICC World Test Championship standings.

Sri Lanka’s best starting XI for the Test series against South Africa

1. Dhananjaya de Silva (c)

• Role: Captain and Top-Order Batter
• Strength:  De Silva’s aggressive approach at the crease can unsettle South African bowlers early, providing Sri Lanka with commanding starts. His knack for dominating pace and spin alike makes him a linchpin for the team.
• Expectations: de Silva leads Sri Lanka with both bat and strategy. As captain, he has transformed into a key figure, bringing tactical sharpness and inspiring leadership. De Silva is expected to guide his team both on and off the field. His ability to score big and disrupt South Africa’s plans will be critical for Sri Lanka’s success.

2. Dimuth Karunaratne 

• Role: Opening Batter
• Strength: Karunaratne’s proficiency against both pace and spin, coupled with his 7,000+ Test runs, makes him a formidable opener. His ability to stitch long partnerships sets the tone for Sri Lanka’s innings. The experienced left-handed opener anchors the top of the order, aiming to provide solid foundations for the innings.
• Expectations: Karunaratne is expected to negate South Africa’s new-ball attack, ensuring a platform for the middle order to capitalize on.

3. Pathum Nissanka 

• Role: Opening Batter
• Strength: Nissanka’s ability to rotate strike and build innings under pressure provides stability. His skill in accelerating or consolidating as required adds versatility to the batting lineup. A technically sound batter, Nissanka complements Karunaratne as an adaptable opening partner.
• Expectations: Nissanka must play a supportive role to Karunaratne while ensuring he maintains composure against South Africa’s pace-heavy attack.

Also READ: SA vs SL 2024: South Africa’s best playing XI for the Test series against Sri Lanka

4. Dinesh Chandimal 

• Role: Middle-Order Batter
• Strength: Known for his ability to read situations, Chandimal can shift gears as needed, making him a reliable option in tough situations.
• Expectations: Chandimal is expected to anchor the innings and deliver clutch performances during pivotal moments. Chandimal brings experience and calmness to the middle order, ensuring resilience against challenging bowling spells.

5. Kamindu Mendis

• Role: Middle-Order Batter
• Strength: His Test average of 91.27 underlines his potential to deliver impactful innings. Mendis thrives under pressure, making him a game-changer in tight situations. Mendis provides firepower to Sri Lanka’s batting order with his fearless and boundary-heavy style.
• Expectations: Mendis is expected to bring aggression and turn games in Sri Lanka’s favor with his powerful batting.

6. Kusal Mendis 

• Role: Wicketkeeper and Middle-Order Batter
• Strength: Mendis balances the team with his dual role, combining solid batting with reliable wicketkeeping. His ability to absorb pressure and deliver in crunch situations makes him a trusted finisher, while his agility behind the stumps ensures a sharp fielding unit.
• Expectations: Mendis must maintain high standards both with the bat and behind the stumps, ensuring a seamless transition between innings.

7. Angelo Mathews

• Role: All-Rounder
• Strength: With 7,000+ Test runs and 33 wickets, Mathews adds depth to Sri Lanka’s lineup. His medium-fast bowling provides an extra option for breakthroughs.
• Expectations: Mathews brings unmatched experience and versatility to the team, excelling in both batting and bowling Mathews is expected to contribute crucial runs and deliver key overs, lending balance to the team.

8. Lasith Embuldeniya

• Role: Spin Bowler
• Strength: The 28-year-old excels in pressure situations, curbing runs while picking up timely wickets. Embuldeniya’s left-arm spin will be essential in tackling South Africa’s batting lineup.
• Expectations: Embuldeniya is expected to dominate South Africa’s middle order by exploiting turn and variations.

9. Prabath Jayasuriya 

• Role: Spin Bowler
• Strength: Known for his ability to exploit conditions, Jayasuriya can dismantle even the most resolute batters. Jayasuriya leads the spin attack with his mix of experience and skill, adding variety to the bowling unit.
• Expectations: Jayasuriya must consistently challenge South Africa’s middle and lower order to swing games in Sri Lanka’s favour.

10. Asitha Fernando 

• Role: Fast Bowler
• Strength: His familiarity with South African pitches and knack for striking early will be pivotal in unsettling the hosts. Fernando spearheads the pace attack with his precision and ability to move the ball both ways.
• Expectations: Fernando must focus on dismissing South Africa’s openers, setting the tone for the bowling innings.

11. Lahiru Kumara 

• Role: Fast Bowler
• Strength: Known for his pinpoint yorkers, Kumara is effective in breaking partnerships and containing runs. Kumara’s raw pace and aggressive bowling style make him a key asset in any Test lineup.
• Expectations: Kumara is expected to excel in powerplay and death overs, delivering critical wickets at crucial junctures.

Also READ: Reason why Gautam Gambhir flew back home after India’s historic 1st Test win over Australia at Perth

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