As Sri Lanka gears up for the ODI segment of their ongoing white-ball series against India, interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya has called for patience with his side. The island nation is coming off a 3-0 defeat against the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions in the recent three-match T20I series and is currently battling injuries to several key players ahead of the first ODI in Colombo on Friday.
Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara are all sidelined due to injury. Additionally, several team members have been affected by the flu in the lead-up to the ODI series. Despite these challenges, Jayasuriya emphasized that the absence of key players will not serve as an excuse in the upcoming matches and urged the rest of the squad to step up and perform against India.
“I’m interim coach and I’ve only got these two series, but that’s not how I think. When I was playing, and even now, I hate to lose. The players who are around now know that too. When I talk to them, I tell them that fans in this country love the game, and a lot of us, including me, have brought cricket into this country to a certain place,” Jayasuriya said as quoted by the ICC.
“I’ve spoken about that a lot individually with players and as a team. In terms of facilities and practice, I’ve tried to do as much as I can. What I want is to create a good environment so they can be mentally in the right place and can play with confidence,” the former opener added.
The spotlight will be on Charith Asalanka, who is under pressure to perform against India. Sri Lanka’s new white-ball captain managed just 14 runs from three innings during the recent T20I series. Asalanka also struggled during the recent T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, scoring only 71 runs from three innings. However, Jayasuriya is confident that the 27-year-old will excel in the longer 50-over format.
“Charith Asalanka is one of our best players in this (ODI) format, and we need to remember that. But when you get the captaincy, there is some pressure. I’ve been there too. You have got to give them a little time in that position,” the former left-hand batter said.
“There are ten more players in the side and 16 in the squad. We all have to get together and give him the confidence too. At any moment, the captain could click. Charith Asalanka is someone who works really hard. He’s very professional and communicates well,” Jayasuriya concluded.
