Dasun Shanaka said Sri Lanka will miss the services of Wanindu Hasaranga in the T20I series.
Sri Lanka come to India following a 1-4 drubbing in the five-T20I series in Australia, but they can take confidence from their win over a second-string Indian cricket team at home last year to challenge the upbeat hosts in the upcoming three-match T20I series.
Ahead of the first T20I on February 24 in Lucknow, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka has asked his top-order for more consistency against Team India after they failed to make an impact in Australia.
Shanka in the pre-match press conference: “We want the top-order to fire. Whenever the top order is among the runs we have a better chance of winning. India has a strong bowling lineup and we are expecting our top-order to fire which will give our bowlers a chance to defend.”
Ace bowler Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the T20I series due to testing COVID-19 positive again, and the skipper said Sri Lanka will miss the star spinner but believes that the youngsters will rise to the occasion.
He added, “The youngsters have been in the system for a while, they have performed in domestic cricket. It has become normal with the COVID situation. All the teams are facing it. Wanindu will be a weakness for us but we know that he will be back soon. Still, our squad is strong enough.”
Shanaka also said that he is ready to roll his arm over if the situation demands in India. He added, “Our five main bowlers have done well. Personally, I would like to bowl but there was no opportunity for me to bowl. If any of the bowlers get hit I am ready to take the ball.”
Well, India will also be missing the services of the injured Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Chahar, while Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were rested, but Sri Lanka skipper said they are still a very strong team.
Shanaka signed off by saying, “They have players with lots of IPL experience. Still, they would be very strong. But we have a good side as well.”
(With PTI Inputs)