Colombo: Sanath Jayasuriya, the recently appointed interim head coach, is instilling discipline in the Sri Lankan team as they gear up for the highly anticipated white-ball home series against India. His instructions include removing piercings and maintaining correct haircuts, setting the tone for the team’s preparation.
Speaking to the media, former captain Jayasuriya acknowledged that it’s critical to inculcate discipline in the current team, particularly to preserve cricket as “the gentlemen’s game.”
“We did basic disciplining. We are expecting discipline in general, and I am only an interim coach during my tenure. I want that discipline,” said Jayasuriya, who has also been named interim coach for the September tour of England by Sri Lanka.
“Our cricket-loving public love these cricketers, and they are watching them and there are young cricketers looking up to senior cricketers. They like to learn from them. If they do well it would help the younger generation of cricketers as well. It was on this backdrop we introduced these changes. We want to maintain cricket as the gentlemen’s game,” he added.
Supporting Jayasuriya’s efforts to discipline the young cricket players, the nation’s sports minister, Harin Fernando, had previously emphasised the need for discipline and modesty among national cricket players and contended that humble behaviour could lessen the majority of the criticism players receive following defeats.
“If the team had been more humble and their attitudes had shifted, the people of Sri Lanka would not have been so critical of match losses. People have a deep love for cricket,” the Sports Minister had said, underlining the significant role the audience plays in shaping the behaviour of the cricketers.
Additionally, Jayasuriya emphasised that Sri Lanka should capitalise on the absence of three key players: all-arounder Ravindra Jadeja, captain Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Following the T20 World Cup last month, the trio had made their retirement from the shorter format known.
“They are not in the team, which is a loss to the Indian team, and we should take maximum advantage of it,’’ he said. “Rohit, Virat and Jadeja are the best players in the world. With their talent, the cricket they played, we all know where they stand,” Jayasuriya said.
The three T20Is will be played on July 27, 28, and 30 at Pallekele International Stadium. Three ODIs will follow starting from August 2 in Colombo.
–IANS
