"We have to take maximum advantage out of that" - Sanath Jayasuriya urges Sri Lanka to make the most of Team India's recent departures
Sri Lanka interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya wants his side to take advantage of some big names leaving Team India's T20I setup. The trio of Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20Is following the Men in Blue's recent World Cup triumph.
The new-look Team India also have a new leader at the helm after Suryakumar Yadav pipped Hardik Pandya for the captaincy role. The changes continue for the side as the tour of Sri Lanka marks Gautam Gambhir's first assignment since taking over from Rahul Dravid as head coach.
Although India have enough depth in their ranks to replace the departed trio in the playing XI, their presence was a huge boost for India considering their skill and experience.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are 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. Their absence will be loss to the Indian team and we have to take maximum advantage out of that," Jayasuriya said ahead of the T20I series (via Sportstar).
Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed interim coach after Chris Silverwood chose to step down following the 2024 T20 World Cup debacle. Wanindu Hasaranga also resigned as captain after failing to guide Sri Lanka over the group stages in the Caribbean and the United States of America (USA).
"It will be a good challenge for us because they are world champions" - Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana
Amid the recurring changes in Sri Lanka Cricket regarding personnel and structure, Matheesha Pathirana stands out as a world-class performer. The speedster has already made an impression through numerous stints in franchise T20 leagues and is looking to do some of the same against a champion side.
“I think it will be a good challenge. India is coming with a new coach and some new players; their combination will be slightly different. But it will be a good challenge for us because they are world champions," Pathirana told Sportstar ahead of the series.
Team India's tour of Sri Lanka will begin with the T20I series from July 27 onwards.