Sri Lanka Announces ODI Squad for Bangladesh Series Starting July 2025

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has published its One-Day International (ODI) team for the next three-match ODI series against Bangladesh beginning in early July. It is a critical juncture for the Sri Lankan cricket team as they attempt to reorganize their ODI set-up after patchy performances in international games over the last several months. The series is to be hosted in Bangladesh since both cricket boards of the two teams have embarked on a period of strategic preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Context

Sri Lanka’s ODI performance has been inconsistent in the years leading up to the World Cup. The Sri Lankans didn’t participate in the knockout stages of the 2023 World Cup and had a poor performance in the Asia Cup. They are in a constant state of rebuilding their ODI side. Several senior players have hung up their boots or been injured while watching the new generation show potential, but struggle for form.

Conversely, Bangladesh has had much success at home, with an exceptional record in the ODI format, in particular. During Sri Lanka’s last tour to Bangladesh in 2022, Bangladesh won the ODI series 2–1, putting additional pressure on Sri Lanka to find an alternative approach to competition in the subcontinent.

Squad Composition

The team announced by the selectors has a sprinkling of experience with a good amount of youth. Kusal Mendis retains his spot as skipper, which is a good sign in terms of consistency from the selectors. The fact that, despite Mendis’ inconsistent form, he has been backed by the board and selectors speaks to his experience and ability to execute game plans.

Key inclusions:

Vice-captain Charith Asalanka continues to make a significant difference in the middle order.

Wanindu Hasaranga, after recovering from injury, has strengthened the spin section and has given some all-rounder support.

Dilshan Madushanka and Maheesh Theekshana are present as well, which means that the side still favours a pace-spin combination.

Avishka Fernando returns after a brilliant domestic campaign, which implies a bid to strengthen the top-order batting.

Missing from the list were Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews, who were absent from global selection for, purportedly, workload management as well as future planning of the team. This has contributed to conversations about generational transition in the team’s long-term vision.

Implication

For Sri Lanka,

• A strong performance will lift team morale and ease Mendis’ captaincy.

• Poor results could renew concerns over selection policies and the strategy of the coaching staff.

• It could also decide the final squad for the ICC Champions Trophy and future bilateral series.

For Bangladesh:

• A home series against a rebuilding team is a chance to take control and start moving up the ICC ODI rankings.

• Losing the series may raise internal questions, especially given their advantage in local conditions.

For Global Cricket:

• The series reflects the continuing reshuffle among mid-tier teams trying to find consistency before competitive tournaments.

• It also signals how boards are balancing veterans’ experience and developing young players in all formats.

Sri Lanka’s course is quite similar to those of teams like Pakistan and the West Indies, who have likewise experimented with squads after the World Cup cycles. In other nations like India or Australia, which have a larger core of settled players, a team like Sri Lanka is dealing with structural changes and performance instability.

While Bangladesh continues to seek that all-elusive ICC crown, it has maintained a relatively stable ODI setup. Their investment in home-grown talent through the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and high-performance teams, when it’s easy to do well in home conditions.

Sri Lanka’s ODI squad announcement for the Bangladesh series is more than just a list of players; it represents a deeper shift in strategic thinking, player management, and long-term planning. The squad has promise, but ultimately means nothing if they don’t deliver on the field.

This series is not just a competition between two South Asian cricketing nations but also a test of each other’s respective rebuilding paths, visions of leadership, and game plans. The coming weeks will reveal whether Sri Lanka’s gamble on youth and relative continuity pays off or extends the burden by breaking under pressure.

Keep reading Spacesportz

About The Author