The year of the Lions: Sri Lanka dominates 2024 ODIs

WEB DESK: When it comes to the ODI format, Sri Lanka had one of their best years ever in 2024. They played the most matches out of any country this year with 18, and came out on top in an incredible 12 of them. They only lost three times and drew once. The remaining two were no contests.

Sri Lanka made an incredible comeback in the format this year, after their dismal performance at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, during which they lost seven of their nine matches.

They came back with a vengeance in their first series against Zimbabwe, taking the three-game series two to zero after the first ended as a no contest due to rain. The Lions took the second game after Maheesh Theekshana took four wickets, holding Zimbabwe down to 208, before Janith Liyange excelled with the bat, scoring 95 runs, leading Sri Lanka to victory. Wanindu Hasaranga dominated in the third match, taking an incredible seven wicket haul. Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis would score a half century to close out the game.

Next up on the chopping block was Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka dealt with them handily, whitewashing the men in red caps with ease. Pathum Nissanka had a historic innings, scoring an undefeated 210 runs, tying Fakhar Zaman as fifth on the all time list for most runs scored in an innings in ODIs. Afghanistan’s Azamtullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi tried their best, scoring 149 and 136 runs respectively, but it wasn’t enough to conquer the 381 target Sri Lanka set. The Lions closed out the series in the next match comfortably, behind another century from Nissanka.

Sri Lanka would finally face some adversity against Bangladesh in March, losing the first and last match of the ODI. However, Nissanka did help to add one more contest to their win column, as he scored yet another century.

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The Lions returned to their winning ways in August, when they faced India. After tying the first match, Sri Lanka weren’t looking to good in the second either, as they only scored 240 runs. However, Jeffrey Vandersay would have the game of his life, dismantling the Indian batting lineup as he dismissed six to help Sri Lanka win the game. The third game would see the Lions win by 110 runs in a one sided affair, thanks to Dunith Wellalage who took five wickets, including the last of the game, as he dismissed Kuldeep Yadav to send India packing for only 138.

Sri Lanka’s penultimate series against the West Indies saw them win the first two games before receiving the third and final loss of their year in the final contest. A couple of great knocks from Nishan Madushka and skipper Charith Asalanka brought the first game home, while a few fantastic bowling performances from Wanindu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, and Maheesh Theekshana held The Windies down to 189 runs in the second, allowing the batting line-up to close-out the series.

In November, Sri Lanka would get their fifth series win of the year, defeating New Zealand in the first two games, before the third was washed out. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis would set a score too large for New Zealand to conquer, as they scored a century each during their 206-run partnership. The Kiwis would only make 209 runs in the second match, as Theekshana and Vandersay broke down New Zealand’s batting line-up. Mendis would then score an undefeated 74 runs to win the final series of the year for the Lions.

With the excellent performances Sri Lanka put on this year, their absence in next years ICC Champions Trophy will be sorely felt. They have proved time and time again during 2024 that they are one of the best ODI sides in the world.

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