Early wickets make India vulnerable, says Sri Lanka skpper Thisara Perera | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Early wickets make India vulnerable, says Sri Lanka skpper Thisara Perera

Hindustan Times, Visakhapatnam | By
Dec 16, 2017 06:01 PM IST

Thisara Perera, the Sri Lanka cricket team skipper said the mistakes committed by the bowlers in the Mohali ODI would not be repeated and has emphasised on taking early wickets to put the pressure on Indian cricket team in the deciding encounter at the ACA-VDCA stadium.

Sri Lanka skipper Thisara Perera has said the key to Sri Lanka’s success in the third and deciding ODI against the Indian cricket team at the ACA-VDCA stadium lies in taking early wickets and exposing India’s vulnerable middle order.

Sri Lanka cricket team captain Thisara Perera and coach Nic Pothas interact during a practice session for the third and final ODI against Indian cricket team in Vizag on Friday.(PTI)
Sri Lanka cricket team captain Thisara Perera and coach Nic Pothas interact during a practice session for the third and final ODI against Indian cricket team in Vizag on Friday.(PTI)

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Perera said the team is determined to repeat its bowling performance in Dharamsala. “We took two early wickets in the first ODI. The Indian middle and lower order all of a sudden was under pressure. Our plan is to take early wickets in the first 20 overs,” Perera said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In the first match at the HPCA stadium, India were reduced to 29/7 in 16.4 overs thanks to a splendid spell of 4/13 in 10 overs by Suranga Lakmal.

Avoiding Mohali mistakes

After the brilliant performance in Dharamsala, Sri Lanka’s bowling fell apart in the Mohali ODI thanks to a blazing onslaught from Rohit Sharma, who scored his third double century. All bowlers suffered, with Lakmal, their pace spearhead, bowling four consecutive full tosses and getting dispatched for sixes in the 42nd over.

Lakmal went for 26 runs in that over and in the last 10 overs, Sri Lanka conceded 147 runs. Perera hoped to avoid a repeat of the mistakes. “Our bowling didn’t click and that was disappointing. We want to put that game aside and bounce back. We will not repeat these mistakes. We have some plans for Rohit and for Shikhar Dhawan and now it is up to our bowlers to execute those plans,” the Sri Lankan skipper said.

Perera added that Sri Lanka’s bowlers needed to execute their plans much better, especially while bowling short balls. “We had a good chat yesterday. Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep bowled well in the first game, but failed to execute those plans in the second game. I am pretty certain they will deliver,” Perera said.

A win for Sri Lanka will give them a first-ever bilateral ODI series win in India but it will be difficult at a venue where India have a good record, having won five out of six encounters.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, India vs England Live Score match updates along with Cricket Schedule, WPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On