New Sri Lankan limited-overs captain, Thisara Perera is excited with the news that their veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews will play as all-rounder during the three-match One-Day International series against India, starting with the first ODI in Dharamsala on Sunday (December 10).
The Sri Lankan side already hammered by the hosts India in the three-match Test series, and Angelo Mathews’ return as all-rounder will definitely boost their bowling attack for the ODI series.
On Saturday, Thisara Perera told Wisden India that his side would like to replicate their spirited performance of the Delhi Test (Drawn) during the upcoming ODIs against India. The skipper also said that they are now a balanced side and confident for their good show in the ODI series.
He stated, “We have a very balanced side, a couple of players are coming from injury. Hopefully, we can do something special. We were not mentally down (in New Delhi). We are strong. We had two good sessions over the last two days. At the moment, mentally and fitness-wise, we have prepared well.”
Commenting on Mathews' return as all-rounder, Perera said, “Angelo is bowling for this series. He didn’t bowl in the Tests, but he is prepared for ODIs and T20s. That gives us an ability to balance the side. Batting-allrounder is someone who has to do something special. Hopefully, he can do something special for us.”
He further added that the Sri Lankan have also the power hitters and if they play at their best, then they can beat any team, expecting some stunning show from his batters against India.
Thisara added, “We have power hitters. When you look at Dick (Niroshan Dickwella), Danushka (Gunathilaka) and Upul (Tharanga) and Angelo, all are power hitters. We want to do our job. Then we can beat any team.”
As India will play Sri Lanka without their big hitter skipper Virat Kohli (Rested for the Limited overs series), and the 28-year-old said that they can’t overlook rest of Indian batsmen, as well as, they are not thinking too much into the change and just focused on playing their best cricket against the hosts.
Perera concluded by saying, “Virat Kohli is their best batsman. We actually don’t think on those lines. We have to do our best. We will assess the wicket and if we play our best cricket we can beat them.”
