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For the first time in many years a Sri Lankan team doesn’t look like instilling fear in the opposition ranks. They have always punched above their weights, but this time around they look more like a directionless car. On paper, their team doesn’t

give you the feel of  defending champions by any stretch of imagination. They are more like a building without a pillar with the retirements of Jayawardene and Sangakkara and it would take some time before the building stand on its feet again. 

The team is in transition and is dependent quite a lot on the fortunes of the old guards like Dilshan, Herath and Malinga to make any sort of impact in the tournament. Dilshan, nowadays, is like a moon hiding behind the skies, glittering occasionally. He has to set the stage on fire if Sri Lanka have to stamp their authority on this tournament. Matthews has been thrown into the deep sea by the sudden resignation of Lasith Malinga. He somehow has to find a way to inspire his troops demoralized by the recent thrashings in the Asia Cup. Of late, his bowling has nosedived a bit but his finishing prowess is something Sri Lanka will look to feed on. The loss of Kusal Perera through ban has made matters worse for Matthews.
Sri Lanka will also be losing sleep over the fitness of their ace bowler Malinga. If Malinga is fit and firing, those stumps are going to get a real battering. Dinesh Chandimal has been the lone shining light for Sri Lanka over the past few months. He has taken the opening slot like a fish to water and he will need to set the pace for the Sri Lankan batting. The Asia Cup disaster has prompted the Sri Lankans to look for ‘tried-and-tested’ pros in Thirimanne and Lakmal. Notwithstanding Thirimanne’s woes in Test Cricket, his shorter format performances have been quite steady. In Dushant Chammera, Sri Lanka have a potent weapon, who can provide the adrenaline rush to his team as well as the fans.
The current health of the Sri Lanka reminisces to some of the Indian Public Sector Banks. Both have a plethora of NPAs on their side.

The only positive is that Sri Lanka's group is a lot easier as compared to the other. West Indies can give chameleon a good run for his money with respect to changing colors. England are newbies to the sub-continent conditions. Sri Lanka has a chance to run both those teams close. Sri Lanka are lucky to have South Africa as their last home fixture. A jittery and anxious South African side can stutter any moment and Sri Lanka with nothing to lose certainly can add to their woes if the Proteas don’t confirm their qualification till that match.

Sri Lanka would need all hands on deck if they have to take something out of this T20 World Cup.  
They are like ants in the tournament and if we consider the tournament as a hill there is every chance that Sri Lanka will fail to cross the first hurdle itself, but everyone knows the gospel truth when an ant enters an elephant’s ears.