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Cricket World Cup 2023

Marks out of 10: Player ratings for Sri Lanka at World Cup 2023

Sri Lanka World cup
by Wisden Staff 4 minute read

As many as 18 players turned out for Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup, with a few being injury replacements, but that could not stop them from crashing out of the tournament in the first round. Here is the player ratings for every player.

Pathum Nissanka: 7.5/10
332 runs @ 41.50

Nissanka scored four fifties at the top, but was unable to go past 77. As his opening partner struggled for runs, Nissanka took on the duties of navigating through the early stages.

Kusal Perera: 3.5/10
149 runs @ 21.28

Perera scored two fifties but lacked consistency throughout the tournament. Against New Zealand, he slammed the fastest fifty of the 2023 World Cup till date, but Sri Lanka would have wanted more from him.

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Kusal Mendis: 7/10
294 runs @ 32.66


Mendis had to take over the captaincy with no prior experience after Dasun Shanaka was out injured, and lost form drastically: he made only 96 in his last seven innings. Under him, Sri Lanka beat England, and his bowling changes earned plenty of praise. With the bat, he struck at 114, with his best knock being the 42-ball 76 in the run chase of 429 against South Africa – but that was before he took over captaincy duties.

Sadeera Samarawickrama: 8.5/10
373 runs @ 53.28


Samarawickrama ended as the highest run-scorer from Sri Lanka and the only player to average more than 45 with the bat. He batted at a rate of over 102 in the tournament but lacked support.

Charith Asalanka: 7/10
288 runs @ 36

Asalanka hit four sixes in his 79, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt in the stiff run chase against South Africa. He did not make more than 45 in his next five innings before making 108 against Bangladesh when no other batter from the team crossed 50.

Dasun Shanaka: 4/10
80 runs @ 40

Shanaka started with 68 against South Africa and made 12 against Pakistan before being ruled out. Sri Lanka could not defend 344 against Pakistan: Shanaka’s decision of not bowling his quota of overs despite being economical and persisting with Dhananjaya de Silva instead came under scanner.



Angelo Mathews: 4/10
51 runs @ 12.75

5 wickets @ 21

Mathews got a call-up midway after an injury to Matheesha Pathirana, and made an impact straightaway with 2-14 against England, helping his team to a memorable win against the defending champions. He remained in the news for off-field reasons thereafter.

Dhananjaya de Silva: 2/10
140 runs @ 20

De Silva had a high score of 34 in the tournament and was also expensive in his limited chances with the ball.

Chamika Karunaratne: 1/10
8 runs @ 4

Picked as an injury replacement, Chamika played three games and had little to contribute.

Maheesh Theekshana: 4/10
6 wickets @ 63.66

Theekshana scored a 91-ball 38 after Sri Lanka were 128-9 against New Zealand, bringing some respectability to the innings. With his primary skill, he managed six wickets but was expensive on occasions.

Dilshan Madushanka: 8/10
21 wickets @ 24.61

The brightest star for Sri Lanka, Madushanka is the only bowler with more than 20 wickets in the World Cup at the time of writing. However, he was guilty of erring with line and length on occasion, and his 5-80 against India is the most expensive five-for in World Cup history. 

Kasun Rajitha: 4/10
8 wickets @ 42


Rajitha picked up eight wickets in six innings but gave away almost seven runs an over. His best performance – 4-50 in nine overs on a sluggish surface – came against the Netherlands.

Matheesha Pathirana: 2/10
2 wickets @ 92.50

Pathirana played two games before being injured, averaging 92.50 for his two wickets with an economy rate of 9.73.

Dunith Wellalage: 1/10
2 wickets @ 98


Wellalage was expected to be the star for Sri Lanka in helpful conditions and in Wanindu Hasaranga’s absence, but failed to perform as per expectations in the three games he played.

Lahiru Kumara: 4.5/10
3 wickets @ 27.33


Kumara picked up 3-35 against England but was ruled out of further participation due to an injury, and Sri Lanka missed the experienced quick in the remaining games.

Dushmantha Chameera: 2/10
2 wickets @ 98


He came in as a replacement for Kumara but lacked rhythm in the games he played.

Dushan Hemantha: 1/10
0 wickets

Hemantha did not pick up a wicket in 16 overs that he bowled and sent down 5.87 runs an over.

To bet on the World Cup with our Match Centre Partners bet365 head here.

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