The Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka believes India and Sri Lanka are evenly placed at the start of the series. The limited-overs international series between the two sides kickstarts from July 18, at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Speaking on the eve of the first ODI, Shanaka said that the Indian players may have played in the Indian Premier League, but lack experience at the International level.
“Both teams will start evenly because they (India) have got new players coming up. We all know that they have played IPL but still, they haven’t played international cricket, so both the teams have even chances.”
In the absence of senior players, the Indian selectors named a young squad led by Shikhar Dhawan. The squad features as many as six uncapped players. Despite the inexperience, the Indian side still boasts world-class players.
Evening 🌕 ✅
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Intensity 💪 ⚡️We get you all the deets from #TeamIndia's first practice session under lights in Colombo 🏟️ – by @ameyatilak & @28anand
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Dasun Shanaka added that the experience of playing against India will help them to assess their team.
“The experience will be very good, you know playing against one of the top teams in the world, so it will be very good to play with India at this point because we can exactly measure the levels we are in, so it will be a good tournament for us,” stated Dasun Shanaka.
India will have to prepare well for the newcomers: Dasun Shanaka
When asked whether naming the squad late will be an advantage for Sri Lanka, Shanaka said,
“Yes, a slight advantage because they (India) haven’t seen these guys in international cricket, as well, so yes, I feel they have to prepare well for these newcomers as well.”
Sri Lankan Cricket is going through tough times on and off the field. Skipper Dasun Shanaka says the outside problems do matter but at the end of the day, they have to perform as a team.
“Ya, it is always challenging, you know international cricket and the outside (off the field) problems, it all matters, but at the end of the day you have to get to it and perform as a team, it is the main concern we all have, so I am sure that boys will look on to it,” Dasun Shanaka concluded.
