Sri Lanka’s head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, said that he expected one of the top three batsmen to bat through the innings and record a competitive total ahead of today’s decider at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The three-match T20I series is now tied at 1-1, with the last match set for Wednesday, July 16.
The head coach also highlighted worries about the top-order batting and emphasised the importance of finalising the lineup ahead of the next T20 World Cup, which will be staged at home alongside co-host India in 2026. This approach affected the inclusion of Dinesh Chandimal, who he intimated could be played in the important No. 3 spot.
“Chandimal is back in the T20 squad after a three-year absence, and we have recognised the value that this extremely seasoned batsman brings. He has been a valuable addition to Sri Lanka, performing admirably in test matches, and the most rewarding aspect of his performance has been that he has done precisely what we ask of him. As a result, I believe Chandimal is a player capable of accepting responsibility for maximising his performance with the bat and would be an addition to the team,”
Sanath Jayasuriya stated in a Sri Lanka Cricket release.
Avishka Fernando, the hard-hitting opener, made her long-awaited return. Notably, he produced a critical century in the 2019 World Cup when others failed, one of just two World Cup hundreds by Sri Lankan batters, the other being Angelo Mathews.
“Avishka is an extremely skilled batsman who possesses every skill. There is no dispute about his abilities. But the terrible part is that Avishka’s failure was mental rather than technical, which is a problem,” said the former all-rounder.
Furthermore, despite his ability to win matches at the Premadasa Stadium, Dunith Wellalage has been kept under wraps and has not received consistent opportunities. The head coach indicated that Wellalage’s involvement is heavily dependent on the surface conditions. He feels optimistic that the team is committed to atoning for their recent failure and improving their performance.
India
