Sri Lanka outplayed India in all departments of the game to register a thumping 110-run victory in the third ODI at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday (August 7).
With this win, the hosts clinched the three-match series 2-0 after the opening ODI ended in a tie. It was their first ODI series win over India since 1997.
After losing the T20I series 3-0 in Pallekele, Sri Lanka faced a host of injury issues but they showed great character to defeat the star-studded Indian team.
Following the triumph, Sri Lanka’s interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya lauded his players, stating that they are talented and the whole country got a glimpse of it during the ODI series.
"It was a very long wait because that series I played in 1997 and got a lot of runs in that series. That was the last series we won against India. After 27 years, I am part of the team and I am very happy to be part of these boys. They are a very nice bunch of players and are talented and the whole country would have seen what we can do,” Jayasuriya said during his post-match interview with the official broadcaster.
"The boys went through a very, very hard time. Even during the T20 series we played well but the result was not what was expected. The players realised what went wrong when we came back to Colombo and they started to play well," he added.
The legendary Sri Lankan opener mentioned how he and his support worked the young players, including Dunith Wellalage, who claimed a five-wicket haul in the third ODI.
"We have been working with players like Wellalage, Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Asalanka, all are very young players. Hasaranga got injured and Vandersay has been there for a long time but never got the opportunity and when we gave the opportunity, he grabbed it with both hands," he said.
Jayasuriya also revealed that a seven-day coaching programme with Zubin Bharucha, the Director of High Performance at Rajasthan Royals, was extremely beneficial for the side.
"I got Zubin from Rajasthan Royals and he came and did a seven day coaching programme. We learnt a lot, the players learnt a lot on how to bat long innings, and one batsman was batting 2-3 hours. That gave the batters a lot of confidence.
"The players only need confidence. If they get some runs on the board, if they are bowling well, if someone gets starts and gets big runs, so those are the little things they can get the confidence high. At the end of the day, we have beaten the Number 1 team in the world."
Despite guiding Sri Lanka to a historic series win, Sanath Jayasuriya is expected to return to his regular role as high performance manager post the tour of England.
Notably, Sri Lanka are in search of a permanent head coach since Chris Silverwood relinquished the post after the team’s dismal T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.
"Sri Lanka cricket is looking for a coach at the moment. I stepped in for two series: the India series and the England series. They will look for a coach, I'm there as an in-charge for high performance but I will support Sri Lanka cricket,” Jayasuriya said.
“I must thank SLC, they have given everything possible for the players and for our support staff. Also, I hope they will find a good coach to bring these youngsters to a higher level and continue the winning streak,” he further remarked.
