Sri Lanka Interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya greeted the team’s comeback from the dead to tie the absorbing first ODI against India at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Friday (2) as “a confidence booster”.
Though, he was quick to highlight that Charith Asalanka’s men should not write off the world’s number one-ranked side in the format.
Sanath said that the hosts had performed the basics right to force only the second-ever tied ODI against the visitors after 12 years, putting it down to teamwork.
It was also the first-ever tense ODI result in this country with the hosts being involved in five similar matches previously, with the last instance being against England in Nottingham in 2016.
Jayasuriya acknowledged the influence of all-rounder and No.5 batter Dunith Wellalage who notched his maiden ODI half-century while top scoring with an unbeaten 67 to anchor Sri Lanka to what proved to be a competitive 230/8.
India in reply were bowled out for the same score in 47.5 overs as they lost their last six wickets for 100 runs after being placed 130/4 at one stage.
Jayasuriya also singled out opener Pathum Nissanka (56) alongside Wellalage for shoring up the brittle Lankan middle-order, but reserved his biggest praise for the spin quartet of Wellalage (2/39), Wanindu Hasaranga (3/58), Akila Dananjaya, and skipper Asalanka.
This is for having regulated the star-studded India middle-order in their chase on a turning wicket, which resulted in the match ending in a tie to the utter delight of the home fans.
The Interim Head Coach was also impressed by the leadership qualities of the Captain, who brought himself to bowl at a critical stage of the Indian innings and in the process stifled them to claim figures of 3/30 with his off spinners. sanath also cautioned his players not to get carried away with the result on Friday, insisting that “it was only a tie at the end of the day,” and advised
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