IND vs SL, 1st T20I: We Are Disappointed With The Batting: Upul Tharanga
Another day, another game but the same old problem of poor batting and Sri Lanka once again paid the price for it as they slumped to a crushing 93-run defeat in the first T20I against India in Cuttack. The Islanders have begun the proceedings with the ball as well as the bat on a promising note, but the failure to capitalise on the starts cost them, dear.
Thisara Perera’s decision to bowl first looked a good one when Angelo Mathews sent back Rohit Sharma for just 17. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer then steadied the ship with a 63-run stand, but Sri Lanka were well on top as the duo failed to score the runs at a good pace. The scoreboard was reading a modest 114 for 3 when the 15th over ended and with dew set to make the Indians bowlers’ job tough, the visitors were looking primed to give the hosts a run for their money. However, the scenario changed in the last five over of their innings as they ended up conceding 66 runs in the last five.
READ MORE: “I thought 180 was a great effort.”- Rohit Sharma
And although the momentum had shifted towards India, Sri Lanka were looking well within the contest after racing away to 39 for 1 in the fifth over. However, the floodgates opened once Upul Tharanga fell to a fine catch from MS Dhoni behind the stumps. Sri Lanka kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 87 as India registered their biggest win in the shortest format of the game.
Speaking after the heavy drubbing, Tharanga admitted that the visitors are disappointed with the batting as well as their, failure to finish off strongly with the ball.
“The main thing is that we are disappointed with the batting,” Tharanga said after the game. “In the bowling as well, I think we started really well, we did well in the middle period, in the death overs we gave too many boundary balls and then the momentum shifted to their side.”
What will hurt the Islanders is the lack of fight shown by their players.
Not even once did they look in contention to chase down the total and it is safe to say that barring a few occasions the story has been the same on tour.
READ MORE: Watch: MS Dhoni Stumps Asela Gunaratne Despite Failing To Collect The Ball
Tharanga admitted that the performance was ‘concerning’, saying:
“Yes, it’s definitely concerning. When we came here from Sri Lanka, the main thing was to compete. Very disappointed with the way we batted, at least we should bat the 20 overs, losing is okay but we have to at least come close to the target.”
When asked about the team composition, he said:
“I think this is the best team at the moment that we can find. Last few series, we missed lots of players because of injuries. But this series everyone is here, the One-Day series all the players got fit like Angelo [Mathews], Asela [Gunaratne], Suranga [Lakmal] and Nuwan Pradeep. It is about being consistent.”
Meanwhile, unlike his team and teammates, Tharanga has had a good outing on tour so far. After notching up scores of 49 and 95 in the ODIs, he was looking in good touch in the first T20I too, hitting two sixes, and a four to race away to 23 before being dismissed. The former Sri Lanka skipper credited working with batting coach Thilan Samaraweera for his form.
“I’ve played with Thilan for many years in my career,” Tharanga said when asked about Samarweera’s role. “When I came into the side, he was the senior guy and he helped me a lot.
“When he saw me batting first time in the nets, after the session got over, he came to me and asked why I changed my foot movements and he said I didn’t bat like this few years ago. I told him I didn’t change much but it just happened. Then he worked with me, with my new batting stance. After that, I did well and the credit goes to Thilan,” he added.
Video of the day:
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Upul Tharanga
