Asalanka eyes top-three ranking for resurgent Sri Lanka

Not every captain is born to lead. Some inherit the role, others grow into it. Charith Asalanka belongs firmly in the latter camp — groomed from his schoolboy days, captaining the Sri Lanka Under-19 side, and earmarked early as a future leader. Now at the helm of the national ODI team, the left-hander has not just steadied the ship but steered it into calmer, more ambitious waters.

- BY REX CLEMENTINE

Not every captain is born to lead.

Some inherit the role, others grow into it. Charith Asalanka belongs firmly in the latter camp - groomed from his schoolboy days, captaining the Sri Lanka Under-19 side, and earmarked early as a future leader. Now at the helm of the national ODI team, the left-hander has not just steadied the ship but steered it into calmer, more ambitious waters.

When Asalanka assumed the reins, Sri Lanka languished at No. 9 in the ICC ODI rankings. Eighteen months later, they sit proudly in fourth, having scalped giants like Australia and India along the way. But the 28-year-old southpaw isn't one to rest on his laurels.