Kusal Mendis, who took on the captaincy of the Sri Lankan cricket team mid-tournament due to Dasun Shanaka's injury, remains steadfast in his aggressive batting style.
Shanaka, sidelined by a thigh muscle injury following the team's loss to Pakistan, is set to be out for three weeks, with Chamika Karunaratne stepping in as his replacement.
Despite the added responsibility of leadership, Mendis has been one of the standout performers in the tournament, amassing 198 runs in just two games. His first match as captain will be against Australia, who are also seeking their first win in the group stage.
Mendis, when addressing reporters, expressed his determination to continue playing in the same aggressive manner he's known for, stating, "I am very happy to have the captaincy, and I hope to play in the future in the same way as I have played so far because I don't have anything to change. I've had previous experience as a captain. I've also held the position of captain in practice matches here. Speaking about my batting, I aim to maintain this level of performance. I prefer playing in a manner that aligns with the team's requirements."
Mendis acknowledged the absence of all-rounder Shanaka, describing it as a "significant disadvantage." He added, "As a team, we deeply regret his absence. Moreover, when we previously lost Wanidu Hasaranga, we made an addition to the team to compensate for his absence."
