3 reasons why women's Asia Cup and India series win can bring a turnaround for Sri Lanka in international cricket

During their glory days, the Sri Lanka men’s team was one of the most consistent teams going around and within a short period, they established themselves as one of the superpowers of world cricket. However following their 2014 T20 World Cup win in Bangladesh, there has been a meteoric decline in what they have achieved in the last decade or so.

Winning the World Cup in 1996 and then making the final of the 2007 and 2011 editions suggests that the Lankans were one of the most consistent sides, especially in the ODI format. The 2014 T20 World Cup triumph was a cherry on top. However, the retirements of stalwarts like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene had a big effect.

While the talent was in abundance all through the country, they lacked that killer instinct that made them such a successful side in previous ICC tournaments. It was a dismal performance from Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup where they couldn't finish in the top eight which ruled out the possibility of playing the Champions Trophy in 2025.

The former world champions needed some motivation to make a turnaround at the international level and it was provided by the women’s team with their stellar performance in the Asia Cup final. Sri Lanka came into the Women’s Asia Cup with not much expectations but what transpired during the tournament would have certainly been a huge morale booster for the fans.

Led by Chamari Athapaththu, the Lankans thrashed the Women in Blue in the final of the Asia Cup to lift their maiden Asia Cup title. Just days after their historic triumph, the Sri Lankan men’s team also scripted history by defeating the Men in Blue in an ODI series for the first time in 27 years.

Having said that, let us have a look at three possible reasons why the women’s Asia Cup and the India series win will help Sri Lanka script a turnaround in international cricket:

# 1. Both victories were achieved against much superior opponents

While it was a historic achievement for both the Sri Lankan women’s and the men’s teams, it must be noted that the achievement is sweeter as the opposition they were playing against was far superior in every aspect. The Indian women’s team had won six out of the seven Asia Cups coming into the tournament.

Sri Lanka was yet to win an Asia Cup and it required something extraordinary to beat the Women in Blue who were hardly challenged in their road to the final. When India posted a score of 165 in the final, it looked all over for Sri Lanka.

However, the duo of Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama batted out of their skins and ensured the Lankans won by 8 wickets with more than an over to spare. The triumph also ignited the Sri Lankan men’s team who won their first bilateral ODI series against India after 27 years.

After getting hammered 0-3 in the T20I series, it looked like the Lankans would get rolled over in the ODI series as well. However, the Indian batters had their task cut out on pitches that were turning square. After a tie in the opening game, the Lankans won the next two games to take the series 2-0.

# 2. A variety of spinners emerging from both men’s and women’s team

Sri Lanka had a below-par outing during the 2023 ODI World Cup but it doesn't take away the fact that Sri Lanka has one of the strongest spin attacks in world cricket. Especially in conditions that suit the spinners, Sri Lanka can dominate against any top-quality opposition.

The likes of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga have been their premier spinners for a while now. However, what makes their spin attack lethal is the options they have when their premier spinners are not available. The likes of Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Ramesh Mendis wreaked havoc during the ODI series bagging a truckload of wickets.

Even in the Sri Lankan women’s team, the spin department can dismantle any batting lineup. Kavisha Dilhari and Sachini Nisansala were consistent with their lengths and bagged wickets all through the Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, 15-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani also made an impact in the only game he played. With world-class spinners in both squads, these two series wins can bring a turnaround for Sri Lanka in international cricket.

# 3. The never-say-die attitude and winning from difficult situations

What makes a team a world-beating force is their ability to win from hopeless situations and never give up during the toughest of times. What the Sri Lankan squads achieved in the last two weeks has been nothing short of special, especially in how they played their cricket.

In all three ODIs, Team India was in a dominating position during the run chase. Rohit Sharma set the platform on all three occasions and at one stage it looked like the Men in Blue were in cruise control. However, the spinners helped them claw their way back in the middle overs.

They went on to win the series 2-0 but it was largely possible due to their never give up attitude and ability to bounce back from every situation. Even for the Sri Lankan women’s team, it was a herculean effort to chase down a score over 160, and that too in the final of a multi-nation tournament. These are positive signs for Sri Lankan cricket as they hope to stage a turnaround.