Mathematically, Sri Lanka can still make it to the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinals. But first, they’ll have to get past a formidable foe in the form of an extremely certain Indian squad. On Thursday, November 2, the two subcontinental behemoths squared off at Mumbai’s famed Wankhede Stadium. At the toss, Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis announced that leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha will be participating in this crucial match, taking Dhananjaya de Silva place in the playing XI.
Dhananjaya de Silva had thus far in the competition been dreadfully out of form.
De Silva only got to bat five times in the six games he participated in, scoring an average of 17.4 and a strike percentage of 70.16 for 87 runs. Despite bowling 120 balls and conceding 132 runs without taking a wicket, he had an equally poor time with the ball in hand.
Hemantha, 29, was a part of Sri Lanka’s five-wicket victory over the Netherlands in Lucknow last month during the World Cup. Without taking a wicket, he bowled eight overs and conceded 42 runs. Utilizing the bat