BEING DROPPED IS PART OF THE GAME - KUSAL
Dashing opener Kusal Janith Perera book-ended another spell out of the National Team - a familiar occurrence for one of the most exciting players in the country - by guiding Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win in the First Twenty20 match against Bangladesh played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday (4).
He was dropped from the team in all three formats after a failed experiment in the First Test against South Africa last December where he was pushed up in the order to bat at number three.
“I failed in the 4-day (Premier Cricket) Tournament. Players always fail. I was also not prepared for that (tournament) and there were a few small issues. After that I practiced and prepared for the (domestic) one-day tournament and played two matches and played well. And while I was preparing for the ODI series against Bangladesh I got injured in a practice match,” Perera explained.
In fact, that injury ruled him out of the entire series which was shared before he was passed fit on the eve of Tuesday’s T20 fixture. Even then, Perera had an optimistic view towards being dropped, and said that he was determined to work on improving his game and getting back into the team.
“It’s the nature of sports. I think that was the best thing for me at that time. I wasn’t disappointed by it, I was just determined to practice and come back to form and see what I can do from there,” he said.
“I figured out for myself (after I was dropped) which areas I needed to work on and I worked on improving those areas. For me, it was all about figuring out how to get back in form and back into the team. I don’t know which tours I will play so I didn’t think about that. I just looked at how I can get back into the runs.”
And he came back in style scoring 77 off 53 balls including a trademark pull over the deep backward square boundary and also ensured he had taken Sri Lanka to within the cusp of victory.
Perera added that an innings started and not finished was akin to a missed opportunity and that he has focussed recently on the longevity of his stays at the crease. “I always get a start and I never go on from there (and carry the innings). I get 20s and 30s. That doesn’t help me and that doesn’t help the team. In the last few innings, I tried to bat till the end. I’m always watching out for the loose ball to hit against those. But I’ve also been looking at carrying on through the innings after getting set,” Perera added.
Despite being unable to cement his place in the team, Perera said it was not a concern for him.“i don’t play thinking about keeping my place for the next game. I always look to do the best for the team when I get the chance. Any player can be in the team, or out of the team. Being dropped is part of the game. If you play cricket trying not to get dropped (for the next game) it’ll be difficult to play in the future. The best thing is, When you get the chance you should do the best you can.”