Chandimal reflects on a ‘really good series’

The Sri Lankan captain admits the need to devise “a different approach” to challenge India’s “world class batsmen.”

Dinesh Chandimal...“In Sri Lanka you won’t get this much pollution but we need to play the game at the same time.”

Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal termed the series “good” as his team drew the final Test against India here.

“It was a really good series apart from the second game. After the second game we sat down as a team and especially with the batting unit we discussed how to get our approach for the third match according to [those] plans. Before the third Test, we had two practice sessions and we did that in the practices. Finally when they went to bat out today they executed them and delivered. I am really happy that after the second Test the way we batted,” said Chandimal.

On the

difficult conditions , Chandimal noted, “It was a tough time for us. As a team we are not used to these kind of conditions. In Sri Lanka you won’t get this much pollution but we need to play the game at the same time. After the first two days we had a discussion with the team and said we need to forget about the conditions and play the game. That’s what everyone did. We finally learnt how to face such conditions in the future.”

Herath missed

On the bowling strength, Chandimal felt, “If we need to win a Test, we need to take 20 wickets. At the same time, you look at the Indian team. They [have] got some world class batsmen so it’s tough for any bowler. Unfortunately, we missed our legend (Rangana) Herath for this game. As a bowling unit we need to come up with very good plans [and a] different approach for the next series.”

Chandimal praised Dhananjaya de Silva for his brilliant century. “It was a really good innings. We picked him after the West Indies ‘A’ team tour and he played some good innings there. We had to trust playing him at No. 3. He gives us the bowling option too. He took his opportunity with both hands. Dhananjaya and Roshen (Silva) deserved the opportunities, especially Roshen. He’s scored more than 6000 runs in domestic cricket.”