Sri Lanka’s performance in the series has been devoid of any fight in the first four matches of the ODI series. Their batsmen have failed to click collectively and the bowlers have been walloped by India’s run machines.
Ahead of the final match of the series, in Ranchi, Sri Lanka’s vice captain, Lahiru Thirimanne, put the blame on the bowlers for not picking enough wickets upfront, hence allowing the Indian batsmen time to settle in and go on an attack in the latter overs.
“We haven’t been able to pick early wickets” Thirimanne said. “In the last game too they were 89 in 20 overs but we couldn’t get any wickets. That has been the main problem because if they have wickets in hand they go after bowlers. We have to work on that. Our bowlers didn’t bowl according to our bowling plans. That is the main area for us to work on.
Thirimanne admitted that self motivation becomes difficult when the team is 0-4 down in the series going into the final game. However, he maintained that the spirits are anything but deflated in the Sri Lankan change room.
“It’s very difficult to motivate yourself because losing four matches in a row is very tough for any side. But our team spirit is still very strong. The boys are still having fun in practice and with each other. But yes, when it comes to the game, its very tough.”
Thirimanne said that one reason why the Lankans failed to turn up in the series is because of lack of match practice coming into it. However, he quickly added they cannot use it as an excuse.
“As a professional cricketer you have to adapt to conditions and play well in all of them. In these conditions our main concern is our bowling as it is very had to contain runs here.
“Also, we did not play any matches before we came here and that has been an issue for us. We haven’t had any match practice before coming here. But that is not an excuse. You have to play well in all conditions.”
