- June 28, 2025
Have you ever seen a player who is a no-frills player? Quietly going about his duties in the background, whilst consistently performing, and based on those performances, winning was meaningful for the team? Sadeera Samarawickrama is exactly that sort of player. Now back after a long time out of the ODI environment, he’s back in time for the white-ball commitment against Bangladesh. Amongst a bunch of great performances to build from and a point to prove and it could be argued that his return could be one of the least talked about, leading into this series. So, what is the story that we almost don’t consider? Let’s take a look.
A Quiet Performer with Loud Numbers
Sadeera’s return is not history; it is performance. Samarawickrama impressed in the Abu Dhabi tri-series with a display of stylish batting, consistently delivering for Sri Lanka A against Ireland A and Afghanistan A. In four innings, he made 197 runs and was the second-highest scorer in the tournament. The runs came with authority – one century, one fifty, and an average which quietly mentioned averages and control.
And this was not a fluke either. Sadeera’s game has grown since he first played international cricket like the rest of our younger talent; his technique is tidier, he seems more composed under pressure, and he looks far more assured with his shot selection and game awareness. The selectors have noticed – rightly so. In an area of the lineup with occasional patchy middle-order stability, Samarawickrama could be what the doctor ordered.
A Middle-Order Puzzle – Can Sadeera Be the Missing Piece?
Sri Lanka’s ODI batting order has been a bit like musical chairs lately. With injuries, players struggling for form, and general tactical ideas, stability has been hard to come by. While big names like Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka have certainly nailed down their spots, there is a need for someone who can rotate strike, bat deep, and handle spin—a traditional middle-order glue guy.
Here’s Sadeera. He doesn’t have the explosive T20-style demonic power, which is, to be quite honest, not what Sri Lanka needs right now. He can anchor an innings as well as play a little cameo second fiddle alongside a more aggressive partner. This also gives him some flexibility. With the slower nature of the Sri Lankan tracks and the spin-laden attack of Bangladesh, he could play a crucial role in stewarding the middle overs without losing any momentum.
Timing Is Everything – And Sadeera’s Couldn’t Be Better
This recall is not only about filling a gap, but about adding to the bigger picture. With ICC tournaments on the horizon, and ODI cricket transitioning to another transitional phase for Sri Lanka, it is great to identify players who can not only offer talent but also experience and temperament. Samarawickrama offers those parameters double.
More importantly, it allows the team to try combinations without losing any talent. The return of Dilshan Madushanka to the squad, along with the eventual (fitness pending) selection of Milan Rathnayake, presents an opportunity to combine potential with experience.
Sadeera Samarawickrama’s re-integration into the ODI fold may not be a feel-good story return, but a sensible and timely step that adds to the middle order and provides the stability Sri Lanka has searched for a long time. Looking ahead to the Bangladesh series, perhaps he won’t be the headline news. Maybe he should be.
Is Sadeera the stability hand Sri Lanka is looking for in their ODI rebuild? Or is this a spell in a wider international expedition? It is not so important. But it’s a journey well worth following.
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