Upul evokes memories of Champions Trophy
DAMBULLA: Sri Lanka should look for positives from two months back rather than agonise over what went wrong in the last two weeks or so when they take on India in the first ODI, believes new skipper Upul Tharanga.
Tharanga, who struggled in his traditional role as opener but will drop down to No 4 to boost the middle order, urged his players to forget the 0-3 Test drubbing at the hands of India.
“We have been successful in the last decade. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well in the last 18-20 months. We have to be more consistent,” Tharanga said at the pre-match media conference on Saturday.
ANGELO TO BOWL
Sri Lanka received a boost after it was confirmed that allrounder Angelo Mathews was fit enough to bowl a few overs. Mathews has avoided bowling since his return following a calf injury. “We will play two seamers, and Angelo also might bowl a few overs. A few overs from him will give the side the balance,” said Tharanga.
Tharanga said he had told the players to focus on what happened in the ICC Champions Trophy, where Sri Lanka upset India in the group stages. “We as a team can beat any team. As a captain, I will say that we must be consistent.”
India may be resting their top bowlers but Tharanga said they still possess a balanced attack.
“For India, Bhuvneshwar (Kumar), he is the No 1 in the side,” he said referring to the man who has emerged as one of the best death-over specialists in the game. “India have a very good bowling attack, especially everyone has played well in the IPL. We can’t underestimate them.”