"Very Embarrassing To Disappoint Home Crowd": Sri Lanka Captain Dasun Shanaka After T20 World Cup Exit

Sri Lanka's aspirations for a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup were dashed following a disheartening 61-run defeat to New Zealand at the R Premadasa Stadium. Captain Dasun Shanaka expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the challenge of letting down the home crowd. The match highlighted Sri Lanka's struggles with both bat and ball, as they failed to contain New Zealand's batting lineup, which posted a formidable score. Shanaka acknowledged the weight of expectations from fans, stating that it was particularly embarrassing to fall short on home soil. This defeat marks a significant setback for Sri Lanka’s cricketing ambitions, raising questions about the team’s performance and strategies moving forward in international competitions. As they reflect on this outcome, the team will need to regroup and reassess their approach to regain the support of their fans and improve their standing in future tournaments.