(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Kusal Mendis is all set to lead Sri Lanka in the remaining matches of the team in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in the absence of Dasun Shanaka, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to a quadriceps tear suffered in the match against Pakistan last week.
Sri Lanka faced Australia on Monday at Lucknow as they aimed for their first win of the tournament, having lost both of their previous matches against South Africa and Pakistan. But failed to do as Australia gave them five-wicket drubbing.
Mendis, before the fixture against the team in yellow, attended a press conference in which he mentioned that he is not going to change his aggressive approach due to captaincy. He also said that his prior experience as a captain will help him further in the tournament.
“I am very happy to have the captaincy and I hope to play in the future in the same way as I have played so far, because I don’t have anything to change. I’ve had previous experience as a captain. I’ve also held the position of captain in practice matches here,” said Mendis in the pre match press conference.
The 28-year-old further informed the press about his batting strategy, in which the wicketkeeper-batter stated that he will play according to the team’s situation. Notably, Mendis is at number five on the list of top-scorers in the World Cup 2023 so far. He has accumulated 207 runs in three innings with an average of 69.00. He also scored a century against Pakistan.
“Speaking about my batting, I aim to maintain this level of performance. I prefer playing in a manner that aligns with the team’s requirements,” he added.
Sri Lanka is currently at ninth place on the points table with three matches played. They will face the Netherlands on October 21 in Lucknow.