Indian batsman Ishan Kishan shakes hands with Sri lankan players after India won the Asia Cup, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Credit: PTI Photo
Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood was disappointed by his team’s meek outing in the Asia Cup final but said it was a timely wake up call for his side ahead of the ODI World Cup next month.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 50 after India pacer Mohammed Siraj grabbed six for 21, and the visitors romped to a 10-wicket win here on Sunday.
“We played very good cricket to get to the final. I think we have to regroup and put some confidence into the players.
“You know sometimes a bit of a kick to the rear end is not the worst thing before going into a big tournament,” said Silverwood during the post-match press meet.
Silverwood said the Lankan team needed to ask tough questions and try to move on from this defeat.
“It was a super bowling performance by India. We did not help ourselves either, and were disappointed with the way we finished. We have a big World Cup tournament coming, and we need to ask a few questions in the dressing room and move forward from this,” he said.
The Englishman underlined the importance of finding consistency especially as a batting unit.
“We are going to compete against teams like India, Pakistan and Australia (in WC) and we have to be consistently at our best.
“So, we need to find consistency in the batting. We bat all the way down to No. 7, and we have the experience. So, it is a bit of concern (lack of consistency) and we will talk about it,” he added.
Silverwood agreed that the injuries to some key players like Wanindu Hasaranga did not help Lanka, but cannot use it as an excuse for a defeat of this nature.
“We have had some injuries in the bowling department but that cannot be used as an excuse in the batting department.
“The schedule around international cricket is tough at the moment, we have to live with it,” he said.
However, Silverwood found some light in the emergence of young players like pacer Matheesha Pathirana and all-rounder Dunith Wellalage.
“Pathirana and Wellalage have really emerged in the international stage, and (Kusal) Mendis has come back to form.
“There are some good individual and team performances but consistency is the key, and then we can think of beating teams like India,” he said.