It may be difficult to stop Wanindu Hasaranga's men in the T20 World Cup if they start well and gain momentum.
Ten years after their ICC T20 World Cup-winning campaign led by an outgoing golden generation, the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers has a chance to write their names in history by bringing the country another trophy.
It was in 2014 that Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga turned the tables on favorites India to win the T20 World Cup final in Bangladesh.
Now led by prolific all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka may not be the outright favourites, but former player Farveez Maharoof believes their recent form cannot be ignored ahead of the ongoing T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States.
“Sri Lanka have done wonderfully by beating Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. [in recent series]” Maharoof told Al Jazeera, before admitting that the country’s poor results in recent T20 World Cups “will be on the players’ minds.”
The island nation was once considered a powerhouse in the tournament's history, and rightly so. They qualified for the final in 2009, the semi-finals in 2010 and the home final in 2012, before lifting the trophy in 2014.
However, since that historic six-wicket win over India in April 2014, the Lankan Lions have failed to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
“It's hard to stop them”
Hasaranga's side will look to revive themselves when they begin their tournament campaign against South Africa on Monday in New York and Maharoof is backing them to do well despite being drawn in a tough group.
Sri Lanka's Group D – or the so-called group of death – also includes South Africa, Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Nepal.
“Hasaranga has led from the front in pressure situations, which is a hallmark of a good leader,” Maharoof, who also played the role of an all-rounder, said of the current captain.
“I see Hasaranga as a positive and aggressive team man, and that is exactly what you want in a T20 captain.”
The 26-year-old captain took over from Dasun Shanaka in December and has led Sri Lanka to five wins in seven matches. He will benefit from the presence of the experienced Angelo Mathews, who was a vital member of the 2014 title-winning team.
Maharoof believes Mathews’ “vast experience and many years of international cricket” are exactly what Hasaranga needs as a young leader.
“Hasaranga has surrounded himself with good players,” he said.
While Sri Lanka have named a spin-heavy team, considering the crucial role of slower bowlers in the US and West Indies fields, Maharoof sees them as a team that has all its bases covered.
He called them the “dark horses” of the tournament.
“This Sri Lanka team has what it takes to go all the way. T20 cricket is all about momentum and if the Sri Lanka team starts well and gains momentum [in the World Cup]It will be difficult to stop them.”
Maharoof's three Sri Lankan players to watch
Hasanranga: “The captain will be a very important player who can play a floater role in the batting order, giving them flexibility. With the ball, he will attack and try to take wickets in his four overs. “If Hasaranga has a good World Cup, Sri Lanka will have a good World Cup.”
Kusal Mendis: “If you reach the top of the [batting] order, it can be brutal.”
Dushmantha Chamira: “Chameera has just won the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders and his confidence will be very high. If he stays fit and gets the right pace, Chameera will be a player to watch.”
