Charith Asalanka: If you perform in LPL, you should get a chance to play for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's new T20I skipper Charith Asalanka reckons the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is the No. 1 tournament in the country with regards to picking players for national duty in T20Is. He further opined that those performing well in the LPL should get a good chance to represent Sri Lanka in T20I cricket.
The latest edition of the LPL concluded on Sunday, July 21, with Asalanka-led Jaffna Kings defeating Galle Marvels by nine wickets in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. A number of players who impressed in the LPL find themselves in the T20I squad for the three-match series against India.
Ahead of the first T20I, which will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, July 27, Asalanka emphasized on the significance of the LPL when it comes to selecting players for the national team.
"If you look at the LPL, it's the No. 1 tournament we have to make decisions like this. More than domestic T20s, the LPL is at a much higher level.
"As a captain, I think if you perform at the LPL you should get a good chance at playing in the national team," the Sri Lankan captain said, as quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Sri Lanka have picked a number of top-order batters who had impressive LPL seasons in their T20I squad.
Kusal Mendis struck 329 runs at a strike rate of 150. Pathum Nissanka scored hit 333 at strike rate of 153. Avishka Fernando slammed 374 at a strike rate of 163, while Kusal Perera had a strike rate of 169 and scored 296 runs.
Speaking about the four openers, Asalanka clarified that three batters would make it to the top three, while one will have to sit out.
"There are four openers in the squad, and the way I'm thinking three of them will make up the top three. One of them will have to miss out," the 27-year-old said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be without the services of pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara, both of whom have been ruled out.
“Want to get 100% out of my players” - Asalanka on his captaincy mantra
Asalanka was named captain of the T20I team after Wanindu Hasaranga quit the post following Sri Lanka's dismal 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
Leadership is not something new to the talented batter. Before the LPL, he also led his school and the Sri Lanka Under 19 side. Sharing his thoughts on captaincy, the left-hander said that his aim will be to get 100 percent out of his players.
"From under 15 level I've captained teams, and there' s been a lot of change since then. ... I've played under many captains, and I've tried to absorb as many of their good traits into my captaincy and into my life as possible," he said.
"What I really want is to get 100% out of my players, and to create a positive environment for them. We have a lot of talented cricketers, but what's important is to get the most out of them and have them win matches," Asalanka concluded.
The 27-year-old has featured in 47 T20Is and has scored 1061 runs at an strike rate of 126.76, with five half-centuries.