The Sri Lankan unit will be playing a warm up game against India A
Sri Lankan players during a training session on Wednesday. - PTI
Mumbai: All-rounder Angelo Mathews has often bailed his team out of crisis situations. Batting lower down the order, Mathews has played some terrific knocks to see his team home.
The responsibility of captaining an international side has not only enhanced his performance but the team has emerged as a competitive unit under him. With no practice in the run-up to the five-match ODI series that begins from Sunday in Cuttack, Mathews will once again be required to marshal his resources well to match the mighty Indians.
The Lankans were involved in fitness-training drills when the BCCI sent them SOS to fill for the West Indies, who left the tour midway. The Lanka captain admitted that his side was not fully prepared but said they will use the opportunity to try out certain combinations before the World Cup.
“It’s not that we are reluctant to play a series. We were focusing on our fitness a lot and suddenly this tour came up, so we had to take it and I think we will take this as an opportunity to get our combinations right for the World Cup,” said Mathews before his team’s first practice session here. The visitors have rested senior spinner Rangana Herath while Lasith Malinga is unfit. The visitors however have plenty of experience with Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
While the Indian selectors have rested captain M.S. Dhoni, Mathews said India still remains a strong side. “Dhoni is a pillar of strength to the Indian team. We all know what a dangerous player he is. India are very strong and balanced side so we can’t get complacent thinking he is not there.”
Pacer Bumrah doubtful
Before leaving for Cuttack, the visitors will play a practice game against India A to be led by Manoj Tiwary at the Brabourne stadium here on Thursday.
Interestingly, Sanjay Bangar, the Indian team’s assistant coach has been appointed coach of the India A tour. Bangar informed that Gujarat bowler Jasprit Bumrah is a doubtful starter owing to a knee sprain. He however confirmed that Dhaval Kulkarni, who was named in the Indian team as replacement of injured Mohammed Shami will play.
Tiwary said the practice game will give yet another opportunity to the Indian players. “This year the schedule has been altered to give a lot of opportunities for domestic players as well as India ‘A’ players to score runs and make their case stronger for India selection.”
( Source : dc correspondent )
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