Rex Clementine in The Island, 4 July 2025, where the title runs thus:
If there was one glaring chink in Sri Lanka’s armour during their disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign, it was their fielding. Sloppy, uninspired and error-strewn, the islanders dropped more catches than any other team, earning the unenviable tag of the worst fielding side in the tournament.
Upul Chandana when he was Under 19
The nadir came in Hyderabad when, despite posting a daunting 344 against Pakistan, Sri Lanka fluffed their lines in the field. Dropped catches and misfields allowed Pakistan to gallop home, completing the highest successful run chase in World Cup history.
Much had been made of a foreign Fielding Coach who came in with high expectations but failed to spark improvement. Following the debacle, the Sri Lankan think-tank turned their gaze inward. The Under-19 team, widely praised for its athleticism and intensity in the field, had a gem in Upul Chandana — a coach with a knack for getting the best out of young players.
Chandana was fast-tracked into the senior set-up and under his watchful eye — and with Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, a stickler for discipline, backing the process — Sri Lanka’s fielding has undergone a transformation.
That turnaround was on full display in the first ODI against Bangladesh at RPS on Wednesday.
Chasing 245, the visitors were cantering at 100 for one in the 17th over with Najmul Hossain Shanto, the tormentor-in-chief during the Test series, looking ominous. But then, against the run of play, he chanced Milan Rathnayake’s arm and paid the price as he was run out. That cracked open the door for the hosts.
Tanzid Hasan, who top-scored with 62, soon followed. Janith Liyanage, stationed at mid-off, flung himself full length to pluck a one-handed stunner — the kind of catch that can turn a match on its head.
“They were cruising at one point,” said Wanindu Hasaranga. “That run-out from Milan changed the game. Then Janith pulled off a screamer and suddenly we were back in the hunt.”
What followed was nothing short of carnage. From a position of strength at 100 for one, Bangladesh collapsed to 105 for eight — losing seven wickets for just five runs in the space of 26 deliveries.
It was fielding that lit the fire. “Our rise in ODI cricket over the past year has been fuelled largely by our fielding,” Hasaranga explained. “We’ve made it a priority, and this game was proof of how far we’ve come.”
Sri Lanka are currently ranked fourth in the world in ODIs — a remarkable ascent considering where they stood a year ago.
The game also saw the implementation of new playing conditions, with Sri Lanka becoming one of the first teams to be penalised under the revised over-rate rule. Bangladesh were awarded five penalty runs after the hosts failed to resume play within the stipulated time on multiple occasions.
“What happened was Charith was trying to get the silly point fielder padded up and we took too long. That cost us,” Hasaranga admitted.
Despite the hiccup, Asalanka led from the front with the bat. Walking in during a wobble, he steadied the ship with a measured hundred — an innings that held the side together.
“Charith goes about his business like a seasoned pro,” Hasaranga said. “He knows how to build partnerships and gets the best out of his partner. He’s been instrumental in our resurgence and he’s been amongst the runs
consistently over the past 18 months.”
From a laughing stock in the field to a well-oiled unit capable of pulling off blinders and effecting game-changing run-outs, Sri Lanka’s upward curve owes plenty to sweat, structure — and the silent work of a coach who’s gone about his business with little fuss but maximum impact.
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ALSO NOTE
Sri Lanka performs in fits & starts.