‘Four-bowler’ plan for Chandimal
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ICC Champions Trophy (playing XI) – after a gap of three years.
West Indies tour – after a gap of two years.
Recent domestic show
Ranji Trophy – 704 runs in 10 matches (1 ton, 5 50s).
Vijay Hazare Trophy – 607 runs in nine matches
Duleep Trophy – Second highest scorer - 291 runs in three matches (2 tons, 1 50). KOLKATA : Wary of India’s strong bowling attack, Sri Lanka are looking to strengthen their batting by discarding their fivebowler theory that helped them win a Test series against Pakistan in UAE.
Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal, while speaking to the media, said that he may revert to four bowlers and pick an all-rounder to strengthen the batting. “Against Pakistan (in UAE), we played six batters and five bowlers that worked really well especially in the heat. It was never easy to play four bowlers and win a game. But India have got some really good bowlers, so we need to think about that allrounder position. We will see the pitch and come up with our plans,” Chandimal said during a media interaction.
Sri Lanka have been smarting under a whitewash they suffered at the hands of India two months back. They lost 9-0 across all formats, getting clean-swept in all the series. However, immediately after that, they beat Pakistan 2-0 in the two-test series. While they played five batsmen, they went in with a five-man bowling attack which comprised Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Pradeep and Dilruwan Perera in the second Test. In the first Test, they had Lakshan Sandakan in place of Gamage.
His counterpart Virat Kohli has for long been a proponent five-pronged bowling attack although with the arrival of Hardik Pandya, he has had the luxury of going with the all-rounder along with four bowlers.
“We all know India are No 1 team at the moment. They have played some really good cricket in the last two years. We have done really well against Pakistan. We did well as a team. I am sure guys are looking forward to take this challenge,” Chandimal said.
The Sri Lanka skipper said that playing India will be a challenge and he doesn’t want the whitewash against India to affect them.