Karunaratne could be the glue Sri Lanka needed: Sangakkara

Karunaratne was a surprise choice to lead Sri Lanka in the World Cup. © Getty

Lamenting Sri Lanka's chaotic build-up to the 2019 World Cup, former captain, Kumar Sangakkara, is hopeful that the 15-man squad, under the leadership of newly appointed captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, will put the off-field shenanigans behind and put in a solid show in the mega event.

The 2019 edition of the World Cup starts on May 30th at the Kennington Oval and Sri Lanka head into their first match against New Zealand with a bleak record, having managed only one win (against Scotland) from their last 10 matches, losing eight and one game being abandoned. It hasn't helped that the squad has been mired with uncertainties - Dinesh Chandimal was axed from the World Cup-bound squad and there were a host of surprises when the 15-man squad was announced.

"It's been quite chaotic, both in terms of continuity in selection and giving players a very good, consistent run in the team, which is essential for confidence," former Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara said at Lord's on Thursday (May 23rd).

"If it's a constant change and churn, where you're always looking over your shoulder trying to safeguard your position, rather than trying to execute team strategy, I think that becomes a big problem," the Sri Lanka great, who was part of two World Cup finals (in 2007 and 2011) added.

Dimuth Karunaratne, the 31-year old opener, was a surprise choice for captaincy and Sangakkara believes that the opening batsman was an ideal choice, as he would be one of the few players coming with no past baggage of failures. "Dimuth Karunaratne is a very capable player, technically very sound, has been very successful in Test cricket over the last two years," Sangakkara said.

"With two new balls (in use in ODIs), the ability of someone to anchor the innings, to bat through a long period, is going to be very important. With Karunaratne coming in now as a fresh face and fresh captain, it could actually help the team. He doesn't come in with the baggage of being part of a set-up that for the last two-and-a-half years have had a lot of issues. He won't have partisanship in terms of how he wants to play or who he wants in the side," the former skipper added.

Sri Lanka will begin their World Cup title challenge against New Zealand at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on June 1st.