Sri Lanka Vs India 2017: Hosts Announce Squad For ODI Series, Upul Tharanga Urges Fan To Support Team

Sri Lanka ODI skipper Upul Tharanga has urged the fans to lend their support behind the under-pressure players as  Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), on Tuesday (August 15), announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against India.

The islanders have been going through a horrible time this year and their miseries were further compounded with yet another disastrous outing in the recently-concluded three Test series against India as they were comprehensively beaten in all the three matches. Consequently, the pressure and criticism has escalated with every defeat and Tharanga has urged the well-wishers to rally behind the team.

“Every team goes through a rough patch,” skipper Tharanga said. “This is something that happens in cycles to every team and every nation no matter how great a cricketing nation they are.

“Sri Lanka dominated in all three formats for a good 18 years – don’t forget this now when we are going through a rough patch. Obviously there are some things we can’t openly discuss due to strategic reasons but there are certain areas behind the scenes that need to fall into place for us. These areas are being taken care of, and we are seeing the results behind the scenes – however it will take a little more time for it to be seen externally, so please have patience, and most importantly have faith,” he added.

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Considering Sri Lanka’s form prior to the series against India, they were not expected to win the series but no one had expected such a meek surrender from Dinesh Chandimal & Co. The hosts performed poorly in both batting and bowling and conceded 600-plus totals twice while losing by an innings in the last two Tests.

Sri Lanka Vs India 2017: Hosts Announce Squad For ODI Series, Upul Tharanga Urges Fan To Support Team

Sri Lanka will be desperate to change their fortunes in the One-Day International series and their win over India in the Champions Trophy will certainly boost their confidence.

“The support of our fans plays a big role in the morale of the team. We play for our country and our goal is to bring pride to our family of 20 million in this nation – so your support is something that matters greatly to us.

“Yesterday despite the defeat, we saw spectators cheering us and applauding us – this is what we need. It inspires us to fight harder too – so as the captain of the ODI & T20 teams, I want to appeal to each every one of you,” concluded Tharanga.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have recalled allrounders Thisara Perera and Milinda Siriwardana to the five-match ODI series. They have also included uncapped duo-Malinda Pushpakumara and Vishwa Fernando in the team. This will be Tharanga’s first series as the permanent captain. The southpaw was given the responsibility after Angelo Mathews stepped down from the post in the aftermath of the team’s shocking loss in the ODI series against Zimbabwe.

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Sri Lanka squad:

Upul Tharanga (c), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando

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