SL vs IND 2024: Sri Lanka needs sharpening of cricket awareness, says coach Sanath Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka’s interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya feels the team needs sharpening of cricket awareness to get the desired results. The Island country suffered a 3-0 loss against India in the recently concluded three-match T20I series.

The hosts were in a commanding position in all three matches but their middle order collapsed like nine-pins, which led to their downfall. Sri Lanka lost seven wickets for 29 runs in the last five overs of the final T20I on Tuesday and then lost the game in Super Over.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka lost nine wickets for only 30 runs in the opening game whereas the hosts lost seven wickets for 31 runs in the second game. Thus, the home team didn’t play according to the match situation and their batters could not capitalize despite their openers giving them the right platform.

Jayasuriya said in the pre-match press conference, “I don’t see a lack of commitment, but they have got to tackle pressure better. Their cricket awareness also needs sharpening. We are taking the responsibility; you can’t go away from that. As long as they realise that, and make sure that, we’ll have to keep giving them the confidence and support.”

“When you talk about power hitting, I don’t think you need that much,” Jayasuriya said. “If you hit enough fours and enough twos, you get the total that you need. The [Sri Lankan] grounds are a little bigger. There’s no reason why you can’t hit boundaries, or twos, or threes. If you can do that, you can get by without hitting so many sixes.”

The former Sri Lanka opener also backed skipper Charith Asalanka. The left-hander could only manage 14 runs in three T20I matches against India.

“Charith Asalanka is one of our best players in this format, and we need to remember that,” Jayasuriya said. “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.

“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.”

The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Colombo on Friday.