Sri Lanka had set out for India six weeks ago hoping to better their reputation as a touring side. But as the tour winds to an end, the tourists, unable to better the home side in any version and nothing to play for in an ODI with the series already decided, only need to look at the ever-hungry Sanath Jayasuriya to draw inspiration for Sunday’s match at the Ferozeshah Kotla.
The indefatigable 40-year-old has been Sachin Tendulkar’s equivalent for the visiting side, but in contrast to the latter’s completion of two decades at the international level, Jayasuriya strode quietly into the third decade of a fascinating journey that has included a World Cup victory in which he shone.
Now retired from Test cricket, Jayasuriya first played for his country at Melbourne on December 26, 1989 in a one-dayer that his team lost by 30 runs. “Sanath has been a great role model, a valuable player for us over the years. He creates an atmosphere of invincibility in the dressing room. He is still willing to take up new jobs and responsibilities and that is what makes him special,” said Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara in his ode to the veteran campaigner.
But Sangakkara was quick to add that the team nowadays wore a settled look even in Jayasuriya’s absence. “Right now, I think we are banking a little more on (Tillakaratne) Dilshan. He has really been the best in the world this year, and that has helped us get good scores. But we have not been getting over the line first in recent matches,” added Sangakkara.
Indian skipper MS Dhoni agreed that though Dilshan and Virender Sehwag had been the prime architects of the teams’ big scores in the series, “take them both out and we have the better side because of our superior batting line-up.”
Dhoni, who took over once again after Virender Sehwag had ensured a series win by clinching the third and fourth one-dayers, said he hoped to finish the year with yet another victory. “It is actually fun going into the last match without any pressure. We have had a good year even though we did not do well in the Champions Trophy and also lost to Australia in a home one-day series,” Dhoni said after a practice session.
“During this series, we have had some good partnerships. We have played with intensity and it has also been good to see players like Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli grab the opportunities so well,” said the Indian skipper.
Had the series been live, there probably would have been concern at the re-laid Ferozeshah Kotla pitch, that has posed problems for batsmen earlier in the season. “Since this is going to be a day game, it is likely to be different. I reckon the spinners will come into play some time in the match,” Dhoni said about the track, which has a greenish tinge
to it.
Comments