India-Sri Lanka Series Crucial for Young Players, Says Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya: India-Sri Lanka Series Holds 'Massive Importance' for Young Players

With the ongoing Olympic Games capturing the attention of sports enthusiasts, the India-Sri Lanka limited-overs series has received relatively less fanfare. However, Sri Lanka's interim head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, believes the series carries significant value for the young players involved.

In an exclusive interview with The Times of India, Jayasuriya expressed his disappointment with Sri Lanka's performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the recent T20 World Cup. He attributed the team's struggles to a lack of consistency in batting, particularly in converting starts into substantial scores.

"The players know that. Batters need to fire and fire big to win a match," Jayasuriya emphasized. "We have a good bowling side which can win us games."

When asked about India's rising star, left-handed top-order batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jayasuriya praised his talent and dedication. "He has the passion to do well, and to do that he has been working very hard," Jayasuriya said. "He has made sacrifices and is a dedicated kid, that's why he is performing."

Jayasuriya, who was a pioneer in aggressive batting at the top of the order, shared his insights on countering a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah. "He (Bumrah) is unique. We need to respect him and his skills," Jayasuriya said. "On his day, you'll need to respect him, but then there are days when he is not up to the mark, it's on those days you need to capitalize."

Jayasuriya also discussed the importance of preserving the uniqueness of Sri Lankan bowlers. "We always tell the bowlers to keep their natural way of bowling," he said. "We don't change much, but we make sure that they learn from their mistakes."

Despite the challenges faced by Sri Lanka in recent tournaments, Jayasuriya remains optimistic about the future of the team. "Sri Lanka Cricket makes sure that we continue giving them confidence," he said.

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