Sri Lanka Needs to Carry Winning Impetus into World Cup - Tillakaratne Dilshan

Former Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan feels the team needs to carry on the winning momentum into the World Cup. Sri Lanka’s middle order batsman Kusal Perera had inspired his team to famous win against South Africa. It was an unbelievable knock from the southpaw batsman to help his team get over the line with one-wicket remaining.

In fact, 78 runs were needed for the final wicket. Sri Lanka was facing a daunting task but Perera batted at the top of his game to score an undefeated 153 runs. The left-hander brought his piece de resistance to the table and his knock will be remembered for a long time.

Perera’s knock will be remembered for ages.

“He (Perera) is playing very good cricket. For the last six months, he has scored runs in every opportunity. In this game also he got half the runs, chasing 304. This is something we need to win games specially in South Africa. It is not easy,” Dilshan told Sportstar.

Meanwhile, nobody gave Sri Lanka a chance when 78 runs were needed for the final wicket. However, the left-hander batted with gumption to help his team to a famous victory against the Proteas. Consequently, Dilshan believes it is crucial for Sri Lanka to keep up the good work.

On the other hand, the last time Sri Lanka won a match on South African soil, it was under the leadership of Tillakaratne Dilshan. In 2011, Sri Lanka was able to win by a mammoth margin of 208 runs.

Sri Lanka will like to continue with their good show.

“We won the last time under my captaincy in 2011, and now after (eight) years, we won another Test match. When you are winning, it is a good feeling for the team. If they can carry this belief, this positivity and motivation for the next couple of months, then it will be good for us as the World Cup is just three months away,” Dilshan said.

“This is the momentum we want. If we can, it will be the right time. Hopefully, we can turnaround and carry on (this form) for the next couple of months,” the former Lankan captain said.

Sri Lanka hasn’t been in the best of forms in the recent past. They were whitewashed 2-0 by Australia and this Test win must have given them a shot in the arm. Hence, it is imperative for them to carry their good form going.

Sri Lanka will need to come up with collective performance to put themselves in contention for the World Cup. They must have grown in confidence after Kusal Perera played a blinder in the first Test match at Cape Town.