By Srian Obeyesekere

Which of the two sides will prevail in the bilateral 3-match T20 series in the electrifying shortest format of the game, the first of which tomorrow at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium going by past results does throw an either way picture. While Sri Lanka does hold the edge over the West Indies in Monday’s 3-match T20 face off on the strength of a 2-0 series triumph in 2021-22 and winning the world cup qualifier in 2023 in Zimbabwe when they last met to a head to head 8 to 7 wins from 15 exchanges, their opponents, on the other hand, do hold the edge on a recent better record of having thrashed South Africa 3-0 to third in the World Rankings after India and Australia despite note worthily failing to qualify for this years world cup with Sri Lanka languishing at eighth having disastrously exited this year’s world cup to being badly beaten in the following home series by India.   

The comparative overall picture is of an Even Stevens hype going by a past of the West Indies 93 wins from 255 games with 102 losses to Sri Lanka’s 88 wins from 195 outings having lost 105.

Still significantly, both sides boast of contrasting impacts in cricket’s most fast and furious paced crowd pulling format that has illuminated the game from centuries long Test format and an ever growing attraction over the ODI 50-over format swift generating descriptive flash like attraction.

While Sri Lanka is reputed to have instilled a game changing new dimensional pinch hitting punch by the now popular power play adoption primarily by the iconic Master Blaster batting heroics of Sanath Jayasuriya, now driving Sri Lanka’s fortunes as Head Coach that has seen a turnaround from a decline particularly in the T20 format, the West Indies did redeem lost prestige from a two decade long dented past in losing the once world dominating might the Caribbean nation basked in a ride back to winning the T20 world cup in 2012 and 2016 from that nothingness. It is the glowing 3-0 hammering of South Africa this year in a fourth place insulation in world rankings that gives West Indies the edge over eighth ranked Sri Lanka. Skippered by 31-year old They carry the handicap of not having seniors Nicholas Pooran as well as all-rounder Andre Russell, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, and batsman Shimron Hetmyer who have opted out for personal reasons..  on a high following a resounding 3-0 series whitewash of South Africa this year. and established themselves as serious contenders on the world stage. 

The throwback hype is of two nations that have impacted cricket’s most pulsating short format in contrasting ways. Sri Lanka fast making a name a decade and a half since entering the ICC fold in 1981 as a game changer to winning the T20 world cup in 2014.  The West Indies from a mighty past to becoming one of three nations to have won the title twice in 2012 and 2016 in redeeming some lost prestige from the holocaust. Today, the Caribbean nation is still struggling by that shine off that has eroded its cricket following the island getting segmented. The entrenched historic image of the 1970-80 era from a 1950-60s take off of the West Indian cricketing colossus rock stands to this day as they strive to come out of that rock bottoming to becoming the whipping boys. The West Indian dominance was rooted to winning the inaugural Prudential World Cup in 1975 to 1979 when it was renamed the World Cup and reduced from 60 to 50 overs.

The contrasting journeys does see both sides face off in a rebuilding process. Sri Lanka striving to put behind a recent bad past of a disastrous exit from the last world cup on the heels of which they were badly beaten by India in the recent home series. However, the bringing down of the Indians comprehensively under new captain Charith Asalanka in the ODI series despite losing the T20 series has been a lending turnaround to becoming better by the day.  Several players doing duty in both Test and short formats under the handling of former captain Sanath Jayasuriya has by now brought about a considerable change with Sri Lanka stunning England in a test match in their backyard to clean sweeping New Zealand 3-0 at home. 

There has been an evident spring in their step with Jayasuriya contending that test match material was also potential one-day talent to look at with particularly batsmen Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka having made a mark. The new trump card revelation has been the 27-year old Mendis, a huge plus factor following a record breaking run in scoring 5 test centuries from 8 appearances to and becoming the fastest to eight half centuries and the second fastest alongside the legendary Sir Donald Bradman to have reached the 1000 milestone.

From the team that defeated India 2-1 in the T20Is in July, long time captain Dasun Shanaka has been omitted while pacer Dushmantha Chameera has been long battling injury.

The West Indies, led by Rovman Powell  Nicholas Pooran, who has opted out for personal reasons along with all-rounder Andre Russell, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, and batsman Shimron Hetmyer is on a high following a resounding 3-0 series whitewash of South Africa this year. and established themselves as serious contenders on the world stage. Several senior players, including Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein and Shimron Hetmyer have opted out of the tour for personal reasons, opening the door for newer faces and returning players. Captain Rovman Powell will lead the side, with Roston Chase continuing in his role as Vice-Captain. 

Head Coach Daren Sammy, who now leads on selection under the revamped selection system, noted the importance of this series in evaluating players for key roles and understanding the conditions ahead of future ICC Tournaments. 

Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando.

West Indies: Rovman Powell (C), Roston Chase (VC), Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaze, Andre Fletcher, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer