"It's disappointing as a coach" - Sanath Jayasuriya breaks silence after Sri Lanka's dismal performance against India in T20Is

Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has broken the silence on his team's poor performance in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against India.

While Sri Lanka were not really outplayed by the reigning world champions, they did fail to give a good account of themselves while dealing with a pressure situation. In all three games, the hosts did have the chance to win the game but they squandered every opportunity.

In the series opener, Sri Lanka were on 140 for 1 in 14 overs while chasing 214. They ended up losing nine wickets for just 30 runs to be bowled out for 170. In the second game, the islanders were on 130 for 2 in 15 overs and were looking set to post a huge total. However, they suffered another inexplicable collapse and finished on 161/9 before losing the game by 7 wickets (DLS method).

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The Charith Asalanka-led side had the opportunity to end the series on a winning note. After restricting India to a modest total of 137/9, Sri Lanka were on 129/4 after 18 overs, needing only 9 runs from the last two overs. However, they ended their innings on 137/8. In the Super Over, Sri Lanka could score only 2/2 before India chased down the total in one ball to complete a clean sweep

When criticism comes, you have to take it: Sanath Jayasuriya

With Sri Lanka's severe criticism for their poor displays in the T20I series, Sanath Jayasuriya has said that the team will have to accept the criticism. At the same time, the former Sri Lanka skipper also urged the fans to keep supporting the team in the upcoming ODI series against India.

"We must be prepared to accept criticism," Sanath Jayasuriya said. "I see the players putting in an enormous amount of effort. I appeal to the fans to come to the ground and support the team during the ODIs."

Speaking further, the Sri Lanka great said that the problem of the team is not skill or commitment but the inability to thrive under pressure. He stated that the players have been working hard in training before admitting that they need to do well while tackling pressure.

"We have created a system where top order batters could bat for two or three-hours during training.

"Kamindu Mendis batted for more than 600 balls during our training. Kusal Perera batted for over 700 balls and that's quite a number of overs. I don't see lack of commitment, but they have got to tackle pressure better. Their cricket awareness also needs sharpening," said Jayasuriya, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"If you see, in the last three games, we started well. That's what you're looking for - for the top three-four to bat well, which we did. That is a positive sign. Also in the second game, the rain-affected game, we started well and we could have had some more runs on the board.

"The third game also, it was a very good start for us, and we bowled well. Apart from the first game, we fielded really well, we fielded well... But still there is no excuse for us to say anything, and for us to win is the ultimate thing," he added.

Jayasuriya concluded by expressing his disappointment over not being able to win games during the T20I series. He said that the team is not shying away from taking responsibility while also making sure not to be too hard on the players.

"It's disappointing as a coach, but we have to take the criticism as well, as a coach, as a support staff, as a team.

"We are taking the responsibility, you can't go away from that. As long as they realise that, and make sure that, we'll have to keep giving them the confidence and support I had to go through this (phase) in my time as a cricketer, every cricketer has to go through this. When criticism comes, you have to take it," said Jayasuriya.

The first ODI between Sri Lanka and India is scheduled to be played in Colombo on Friday (August 2).