(Source X)
Ahead of the upcoming white-ball bilateral series against India, interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya aims to foster discipline among the Sri Lankan squad.
Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Jayasuriya emphasized the significance of discipline among the current players, underscoring its role in upholding 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
“Our cricket-loving public love these cricketers, and they are watching them and there are young cricketers who are 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 instill discipline in the young cricketers, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Harin Fernando recently emphasized the importance of humility and discipline among the country’s cricket representatives. He argued that displaying modesty could significantly reduce the criticism faced by cricketers following match losses.
“If the team had been humbler 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.
Jayasuriya further highlighted the opportunity for Sri Lanka to capitalize on the absence of three seasoned players — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja — who retired from the shorter format following last month’s T20 World Cup.
“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 added.
The upcoming series features three T20Is scheduled for July 27, 28, and 30 at Pallekele International Stadium, followed by three ODIs starting on August 2 in Colombo.
