Sri Lanka have been one of the most prolific teams in ODI Cricket. They have played the World Cup Final of the 2007 and the 2011 editions. They won the 1996 World Cup. Sri Lanka have had players who have exceeded equally in Test Cricket and ODIs. They are going through a transition at the moment but they will once again assemble a good team.
Let’s look at the All Time Sri Lankan ODI Cricket XI
Opening Batters
Sanath Jayasuriya
This was one of the easiest selections in this team. A Sri Lankan ODI Cricket X1 cannot be made without this man in it. Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most destructive openers in ODI Cricket. He was a constant in Sri Lankan Cricket for over 20 years. He played 445 ODIs for Sri Lanka. He scored 13430 runs at an average of 32.36. He hit 28 hundreds in ODIs. He has also taken 323 Wickets in ODI Cricket at an average of 36.75.
Tilakaratne Dilshan
His opening partner at the top of the order will be none other than Dilshan. He is one of the most innovative players to have played for Sri Lanka. He played 330 ODIs for Sri Lanka for 17 years. He made 10290 runs at an average of 39.27. He has hit 22 hundreds in ODI Cricket for Sri Lanka. Dilshan was also a very useful bowler as he took 106 wickets for Sri Lanka.
Middle Order
Kumar Sangakkara (WK)
At number 3 is perhaps one of the Top 5 batters that have played In ODIs. He is the second highest run getter in ODI Cricket. Kumar Sangakkara has played 404 ODIs for Sri Lanka. He has scored 14234 runs at an average of 41.98. He has hit 25 hundreds in ODI Cricket. He will be the wicket Keeper of this team. He has taken 383 Catches for Sri Lanka and he also has 99 stumpings to his name in ODI Cricket.
Aravinda De Silva
At number 4 is Aravinda De Silva for Sri Lanka. Out of the 4 in this team, 3 of these batters were in the All Time Test team for Sri Lanka. Aravinda De Silva played 308 ODIs for Sri Lanka. He was a member of the 1996 World Cup winning team. He made 9577 runs at a very good average of 53.50. He hit 25 hundreds in ODI Cricket with a highest score of 176 in the format. He will be the batter that can bat throughout the innings and be the Anchor.
Mahela Jayawardene
The number 5 batter in this team is Mahela Jayawardene. He is the 4th player to be in both the Test and ODI X1 for Sri Lanka. He has played a mammoth 448 ODIs for Sri Lanka. He scored 12650 runs at an average of 33.37. He has hit 19 hundreds in ODI Cricket. Mahela Jayawardene scored a brilliant century in the 2011 World Cup Final but Sri Lanka lost the match. Him at number 5 will be a challenge for the opposition team.
Arjuna Ranatunga (C)
The captain of the 1996 World Cup winning team will be the captain of this team as well. He was the best captain Sri Lankan Cricket ever had. He was also a prolific batters in ODI Cricket. He played 269 ODIs in his career. Arjuna Ranatunga made 7456 runs at an average of 35.85. He has a highest score of 131* in ODI Cricket. Arjuna Ranatunga at number 6 is a dream for any team as then any Total is achievable.
Lower Order and Bowlers
Angelo Mathews
The all rounder in this team. Although Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilshan can bowl, he is the fast bowling all rounder. He has recently retired. He played 226 ODIs for Sri Lanka. Angelo Mathews made 5916 runs at an average of 40.24. He has also hit 3 centuries in this format. Angelo Mathews has also taken 126 Wickets in ODI Cricket. He will provide the balance to this team.
Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas has to be there in this team as he is the best left arm fast bowler that Sri Lankan Cricket has seen. He has excelled in this format. Vaas has played 322 Matches for Sri Lanka. He is only one of four Bowlers in ODI Cricket history to take 400 Wickets. He has taken them at an average of 27.53. He has taken 4 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. He will be the leader of the fast bowling attack.
Muttiah Muralitharan
The greatest bowler to play the sport. He is the highest wicket taker in this format as well. He played 350 ODIs for Sri Lanka. He has taken 534 Wickets at an average of 23.08. He has taken 10 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. Muttiah Muralitharan has taken more than 1300 wickets in international cricket. He will be the one who will take wickets when needed.
Lasith Malinga
Along with Chaminda Vaas, this man will be the fast bowler in this team. He revolutionized fast bowling with his unique action. Lasith Malinga played 226 ODIs for Sri Lanka. He took 338 Wickets at an average of 28.87. Lasith Malinga has taken 8 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. He was the fast bowler that inspired a lot of young fast bowlers around the world.
Ajantha Mendis
The second spinner in this team will be the mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis. He was someone that terrified the batters when he arrived at the scene. He was the best bowler in the world for years. He played 87 ODIs for Sri Lanka in which he took 152 Wickets. He has an average of 21.87 while bowling. He will compliment Muttiah Muralidaran perfectly.
