2 min learnFeb 26, 2026 05:36 PM IST
Co-hosts Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2026 marketing campaign ended with a 61-run defeat to New Zealand in Colombo, prompting captain Dasun Shanaka to name for a long-term structural reset constructed round health, planning and smarter to situations.
“I feel health ought to be primary when taking part in for a rustic. That’s unnegotiable,” Shanaka mentioned after the loss to New Zealand on Wednesday. He acknowledged that accidents to key gamers corresponding to Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana made continuity tough, whereas stressing that health requirements should stay uniform throughout squad.
“I performed all previous 5 World Cups, besides one World Cup, this was the subject that has been spoken in all the opposite World Cups-injuries, accidents, how can we do higher in these?” mirrored Shanaka.
Shanaka additionally pointed to the significance of long-term planning over short-term fixes. “If we’re going to a World Cup plan, we should always go together with long-term objectives. It’s onerous to play a match like this with short-term objectives,” he mentioned. On his personal function, he remained measured: “As a captain, I do not know how lengthy I’ll be a captain. That’s determined by the selectors. I’m pleased I had this chance and that I might captain at a World Cup.”
Reflecting on situations, notably on the R. Premadasa Stadium, Shanaka mentioned the workforce had anticipated higher batting surfaces. “The very best batsman in Sri Lanka are right here. Nobody is compelled to play cricket. We additionally wish to do one thing for the nation,” he mentioned.
On power-hitting, Shanaka admitted there may be scope for progress and emphasised adaptability. Whereas massive hitting is efficacious on more true pitches corresponding to in Pallekele, he famous that on slower surfaces, strategies like sweeps and reverse sweeps turn out to be equally necessary.
Regardless of elimination, Shanaka urged his aspect to complete the match strongly. “Regardless of the issues we’ve got, we’ve got to go very positively as a workforce. It’s essential to complete a World Cup effectively as a result of it offers momentum for the following match,” he mentioned.