• Tharanga wants Kusal Janith to eye World Cups 

Interim coach of Sri Lanka Sanath Jayasuriya says that he was determined to commence his caretaker position with a clean slate against what he considers to be ‘a very strong’ India squad, ahead of the white-ball series due to start this weekend.

“I do not usually dwell too much on what has happened in the past,” he told reporters in the company of head of selectors Upul Tharanga, during a press conference held at SLC yesterday (24).

It was held to apprise the media of team selections in the lead up to the three-match T20 and ODI series against their neighbours.

“It is true that we have fared poorly against them (India) in ODIs in the recent past. But, as far as I am concerned, that is all water under the bridge and that is the mentality that I aim to instil in my players as well. This is a fresh series and we hope to give a good account of ourselves in this series.”

The 54-year-old interim coach’s response was elicited by the media with reference to Sri Lanka being bowled out for 50-plus scores during the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup and the Asia Cup tournaments respectively in 2023 against India.

Jayasuriya, who counts over two decades of experience in international cricket mentioned that India will find it difficult to fill the void created by the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, from the shortest format in the wake of their T20 World Cup win.

He simply described them as the ‘best players in the world.’ “Looking at their talent and the kind of cricket they have played, we all know where they belong, along with Jadeja,” he said. “Their absence will be a loss to them and we must take maximum advantage out of that.”

But, he was quick to highlight that Sri Lanka should not be lulled into believing that the trio’s exit from T20 cricket will make the world champions any less potent, as such was the conveyor belt of superior talent coming through their system currently.

Forge a coaching career

Asked whether he has envisioned hopes of forging a long-term career as a coach, Jayasuriya was of the view that his immediate challenge was the impending white-ball series against India and the following three-Test match tour of England in August-September.

He remarked that beyond the twin series, he has not given much thought to it and emphasised that it would be up to SLC to take a decision on it as they have already advertised for the appointment of a permanent coach.

Bharucha sessions

The ex-all-rounder also added that the recent sessions done by the high-performance director of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals Zubin Bharucha which had been coordinated by its director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara, at his request should stand his charges in good stead.

Meanwhile, selection chief Upul Tharanga said that even at the age of 33, he cannot see why recalled Kusal Janith Perera cannot feature at the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026 and even in the ODI showpiece in the following year.

“This is if he (Kusal Janith) looks after his physical fitness and could be consistent in his performance level”, he opined.

The ex-skipper and opener also hoped that Charith Asalanka will have a long stint as captain of the white-ball set up here and asserted that former skipper Wanidu Hasaranga had conveyed to them in advance that he had sought to be relieved of it after the World Cup.

He added that veteran Angelo Mathews was no longer a part of their plans for the next T20 World Cup, but stopped short of predicting what his immediate future will be in the One-Day format.

Tharanga identified inconsistency as being a Achilles heel for Sri Lanka and was optimistic that under the tutelage of his former colleague the team will return to winning ways,   

Chameera out of India series

Sri Lankan seamer Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the upcoming series against India, chief selector Upul Tharanga said.

According to him, the cricketer will miss the series due to an injury. Chameera was named among the 16-member Sri Lanka T20 squad that was announced on Tuesday (23). 

Sri Lanka will take on India in three T20Is and three ODIs from 27 July to 7 August. 

The series will commence with the first T20I being played on Saturday (27) at Pallekele in Kandy.