Boys have realised their mistake from the last game: Lankan batting coach

The Sri Lankan side had a horror start to their campaign in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2024 when they lost by six wickets to South Africa on a tricky track in New York. On a spicy deck, the Lankan batting lacked patience and application, and many batters got out playing ill-advised shots on a slow and spongy deck. 

Speaking ahead of their encounter against Bangladesh at Dallas, Sri Lankan batting coach Thilina Kandambi informed that the side had realised the mistakes committed in the last game. 

“We had a good chat yesterday with the boys and they have realized the mistakes that they have done,” Kandambi said. 

“Also, I think they are experienced enough to come back in this game. We have spoken about it - a lot of things, how we are going to play up. If the A game is not happening, how we transfer our mental approach to the B game. So, we have spoken about it. I think boys are pretty much up for it,” he added on the approach that Sri Lanka will follow in the game. 

Sri Lanka is placed in Group D, along with South Africa, the Netherlands, Nepal, and Bangladesh. With the Proteas and the Dutch winning a game each, the upcoming game against Bangladesh would be almost a knockout encounter for the Wanindu Hasaranga-led side. If they lose the next and even go on to the remaining two games, then it would also be hard for them to qualify to the Super Eight with two losses in four games. 

However, Kandambi was confident of overcoming the Bangladeshi challenge, as Sri Lanka has done so on multiple occasions in the recent past. 

“I think we have played good cricket against Bangladesh recently. So, we have that confidence and momentum going through this game,” the Lankan batting coach said. 

“With that confidence, I think the boys know what to do tomorrow, and we have a good—we have analysed their Strengths and weaknesses as well. So, we have played each other more recently, so because of that, I think boys are confident enough.”

Kandambi also hoped that the players will gain confidence from the way Sri Lanka bounced back in the first game with the ball and the bat and ensured that the small chase wasn’t a cakewalk for the South Africans. 

“It's a matter of one game actually - we didn't bat well we accept that. But the way our bowlers and the fielders fought back, defending such a small total in New York, which is fantastic. And you can, I mean, we also have the confidence with our boys? I'm sure the batters have played a lot of cricket, so they can bounce back at any time,” Kandambi said. 

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