Sri Lanka interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has broken the silence on his team’s poor performance in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against India. Sanath Jayasuriya was clearly not happy the way Sri Lanka lost matches from winning positions .While Sri Lanka were not really outplayed by the reigning world champions, they did fail to give a good account of themselves while dealing with a pressure situation. In all three games, the hosts did have the chance to win the game but they squandered every opportunity.
In the aftermath of a clean sweep against India in the T20I series at Pallekele, Sanath Jayasuriya acknowledged that the fans had every right to be discontent following his team’s recent performances. The recent series had been a saga of near triumphs turned to dust, with the middle order faltering at crucial junctures, unable to build on the solid foundations laid by the top order.
Sri Lanka’s dismal performance in 3 T20Is vs India irks Sanath Jayasuriya
In the series opener, Sri Lanka were on 140 for 1 in 14 overs while chasing 214. They ended up losing nine wickets for just 30 runs to be bowled out for 170. In the second game, the islanders were on 130 for 2 in 15 overs and were looking set to post a huge total. However, they suffered another inexplicable collapse and finished on 161/9 before losing the game by 7 wickets (DLS method).
The Charith Asalanka-led side had the opportunity to end the series on a winning note. After restricting India to a modest total of 137/9, Sri Lanka were on 129/4 after 18 overs, needing only 9 runs from the last two overs. However, they ended their innings on 137/8. In the Super Over, Sri Lanka could score only 2/2 before India chased down the total in one ball to complete a clean sweep.
Sri Lanka were in a strong position at one stage with 110 for 1. The hosts needed 28 runs from 28 balls with two set batters at the crease. However, they lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs during the run chase. However, they managed to tie the match but lost both wickets for two runs in the Super Over. Their batting issues have received criticism from former cricketers, experts, and fans on social media.
With Sri Lanka’s severe criticism for their poor displays in the T20I series, Sanath Jayasuriya has said that the team will have to accept the criticism. At the same time, the former Sri Lanka skipper also urged the fans to keep supporting the team in the upcoming ODI series against India.
SL coach Sanath Jayasuriya breaks silence after Sri Lanka’s dismal performance against India in T20Is
Sri Lanka’s interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya recently rued the third T20I against India in Pallekele heading to the Super Over on July 30. The former Sri Lanka opening batter said that it’s disappointing to give away wickets to part-time bowlers like Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav.
The home side were cruising at one stage in the third T20I being at 110-1 in pursuit of 138 for victory. Even with nine runs required off the last two overs, Sri Lanka were favorites, but it progressed to a super over. They managed only a couple of runs in the Super Over and India won comfortably to seal a 3-0 sweep.
At a presser ahead of the first ODI on July 2, Jayasuriya stated that coaches can only do so much and doing things on the field is up to the players. He also lamented Kusal Perera’s failure to finish off things. As quoted by Cricbuzz, Jayasuriya said:
“The third game should never have gone to a Super Over. As coaches, you can tell stuff but handling pressure is for those out in the middle. We are aware that part-time bowlers. had got those crucial wickets. It is disappointing.
“Kusal Perera from the middle had made a gesture to send a right-hander in. His intentions of letting us know that a right-hander was needed is correct. We were prepared for the routine batting line-up. But when the set batter sends a message you need to listen to that. I would have been happier had Kusal Perera finished it off.”
Sri Lanka were in positions of power even in the first two T20Is but failed to capitalize as India turned the screws. While the top-order batters fired, the former World T20 champions’ middle order struggled big time.
Sanath Jayasuriya urges Sri Lankan team to take criticism on a positive note
The 55-year-old declared that the support staff is entirely behind the players and remembered his own struggles during his playing career. Jayasuriya added:
“It’s disappointing as a coach, but we have to take the criticism as well, as a coach, as a support staff, as a team. We are taking the responsibility, you can’t go away from that.
“As long as they realize that, and make sure that, we’ll have to keep giving them the confidence and support I had to go through this (phase) in my time as a cricketer, every cricketer has to go through this. When criticism comes, you have to take it.“
Sri Lanka have sustained two more injuries ahead of the ODI series, with Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana ruled out. The first ODI between Sri Lanka and India is scheduled to be played in Colombo on Friday (August 2).