On Wednesday, Sri Lanka’s interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya revealed that Zubin Bharucha, Rajasthan Royals’ high performance director, has been assisting his batters to prepare for the Twenty20 series against India scheduled for later this month. The coach hopes to exploit the retirements of key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
After winning the World Cup in India last month, Rohit, Kohli, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 International cricket. On July 27, Pallekele will host first of three Twenty20 International matches against India.
Jayasuriya said they have been training with him for six days despite some of them playing in the Lanka Premier League.
He said: “We just started this sessions just after LPL. Most of the players are playing the LPL, so they were busy with cricket and what we wanted (for them) was to play cricket as much as possible,” he told PTI.
“Zubin came from Rajasthan Royals and we did about six days work also with other cricketers who finished off with LPL. I hope that players have learnt whatever you (management) are trying to do in terms of practice and techniques.
“The preparation was good and we have two more days in Kandy before the T20 starts,” he added.
They were intense sessions by Bharchua which taught a lot to those players according to Jayasuriya.
“As international cricketers it is important to learn new techniques and approaches as well as shot making so that one can become effective,” he added.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav now leads on field in Twenty20 Internationals. Even though Jayasuriya acknowledges his team’s challenges he urged them not let go of this chance.
“Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli are best players in the world. Looking at their talent & the kind of cricket that they have played we all know where they belong, along with Jadeja,” Jayasuriya was quoted as saying by Associated Press during a press meet.
“Their absence will be loss to the Indian team and we have to take maximum advantage out of that,” he said.
A shake-up happened in the upper echelons of Sri Lanka’s management team after the T20 World Cup debacle.
After their elimination from preliminary round, Wanindu Hasaranga who is their captain, Chris Silverwood coach and Mahela Jayawardene, High Performance Consultant for Sri Lanka all resigned today.
Jayasuriya however expressed confidence that players would develop their personalities as the cricketers finished his interview about current state of affairs in Ceylon.
“It’s up to the players we’ve been doing everything right in terms of practice, we’ve given them training and best coaches. I think SL Cricket has provided most things now it’s up to the players,” he added.
“We have been doing all necessary work for present cricketers to come to that level and I hope in next two years there will be lot of development in these boys like batting great,” added batting great.
We need some time. I know, for the people who love cricket, it can be annoying at times but just bear with us, give us time and we are on it. It is really tough to work on this matter with the players and they will do well.
While understanding the agony of fans, Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup winning skipper said that his country’s side has the talent within its ranks to overcome sticky patches.
“We have a lot of talent. What we ask (of them) is go out into the middle and perform – we know that it ain’t easy,” he explained.
“We have done our part when we were there playing and now it’s this team that people expect a lot from and judging by what we are doing right now they will very soon,” He added.
