Jayasuriya looks at positives from bleak Asia Cup for Sri Lanka while saying there is “no mental block against India” after defeat.
‘This team can go very far’ – Jayasuriya ‘fairly satisfied’ with Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup.
Sanath Jayasuriya, the head coach, was shocked after Sri Lanka lost to India in the final over of their Asia Cup Super Fours match in Dubai.
Their passing immediately evoked thoughts of July 2024, when they wasted what ought to have been a simple pursuit against India. With six wickets remaining, Sri Lanka needed just nine runs from two overs on that improbable night at Pallekele. However, as the match entered a Super Over, they faltered against the bowling of Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav, managing only one run, which Suryakumar scored with a single delivery.
With centurion Pathum Nissanka on strike and six wickets left in the final over on Friday, Sri Lanka needed 12 runs to win. However, he went down right away, and there was a chance to end the match in regular time when Dasun Shanaka struck the final ball towards wide long-on with Sri Lanka needing three to win. However, Shanaka, who was totally ignorant that Kuldeep Yadav had misfielded and that there might have been a chance for a third, stretched out a full-length dive to finish the second run and tie the score, expecting the ball to be thrown at his end. When Sri Lanka faltered once more, it meant that the game would be decided in the Super Over.
“I would’ve preferred to finish games in normal time,” Jayasuriya said at the post-match press conference. “No captain or coach wants to go to a Super Over. Unfortunately, Dasun missed completing the third run. But no, there’s no mental block against India. Our batting line-up is strong, and we’ve given them confidence. Chasing 200 (203) is never easy, but we almost did it, which shows the quality we have.”
Nissanka is one of the best examples of Sri Lanka’s class and quality, which are undeniable. Since making his debut as a Test batter in 2021, he has developed into a strong white-ball player. Only last week, following the group stage, Nissanka talked highly of Jayasuriya’s impact and the flexibility the coach has allowed him to carve out a niche for himself while also allowing him to make mistakes. He paid it forward in style on Friday, converting what at one point appeared to be a difficult chase of 203 into a breeze with a magnificent 107 off 58 balls.
At short fine leg, with 12 needed off the last over, Varun Chakravarthy was finally stopped by an ill-advised flick that went straight into his hands. After a second-wicket stand of 127 in just 70 deliveries, which saw Nissanka and Kusal Perera score 58 off 32 balls, Jayasuriya was full of praise for them.
“When you’re chasing 202 (203), you have to keep finding boundaries,” Jayasuriya said. “Their partnership was the key. The momentum shifted when we started losing wickets. That’s natural in a chase because someone has to take risks. Sadly, Pathum got out at the wrong time, and later on, the ball began to turn more. Still, it was a very good game of cricket.
“Kusal is one of the best players of spin in our team. He played that role well again, though I’d have liked him to bat longer. Both took calculated risks, and when they wanted boundaries, they executed them. Pathum also had a bit of a hamstring issue recently but still gave 100% for the team, which shows his commitment.”