Desperate times, desperate measures.
As if a demoralising defeat against World No.1 South Africa in their opening game wasn't enough, Sri Lanka will have to contest with Team India in their second game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 on Thursday.
Captain Angelo Mathews, though, is realistic about his inexperienced side's chances to win the tournament and that he believes takes away a lot of pressure from the youngsters. "We are happy to walk in as the underdogs. I mean, no one really expects us to win the Championship which takes away a lot of pressure out of the guys," he said.
But he agreed that this team needs to learn to deal with pressure. "I mean, you have got to deal with the pressures. We always have pressures when we play as players. You have just got to deal with it and be as a team. I mean, yes, we have had so many greats and they have retired (referring to Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan). We are slowly rebuilding, but surely, we will come up with a good performance," the skipper said.
When asked if he would ask Kumar Sangakkara to comeback from retirement, he smiled and replied in jest: "I always asked him that! Even a couple days ago, I was asking him can you come and play for us, you know, in this game? He has been in absolute (tremendous) form (for Surrey in County). He has been in form ever since he started playing, to be honest.
"Yes, he (Sangakkara) has had a dream career, and it's unfortunate that we don't have him anymore, but he is always willing to help us. He is always having chats with us on how we should play on these conditions, especially, it s his home ground. And he has had a lot of chats to all the younger players, including myself," added Mathews.
(Inputs from PTI)
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 "cricket, Web Exclusive, team india, India v/s Sri Lanka, angelo mathews, kumar sangakkara, mahela jayawardene, tillakaratne dils")
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