Having roamed around North India for six weeks, the Sri Lankans have finally reached the southern part of the country with Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra set to host the deciding third and final ODI of the series between the countries on Sunday (December 17).
In Dharamsala, in evenings when the temperature dropped below double digits and later as their departure to Mohali was pushed back by a day due to inclement weather, they were able to witness snow. Even in Mohali the temperature was mild, but in stark contrast it’s hot and humid in Visakhapatnam , and conditions resemble more like Colombo or Galle.
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“Definitely in Vizag the conditions are similar to that what we find in Sri Lanka. Mohali and Dharamsala were completely different. It was a total different story over there. Here, I hope we will be able to do something special as conditions are pretty similar to what we find back at home,” skipper Thisara Perera told journalists ahead of the third ODI.
Sri Lanka made a fine start to the series winning the first ODI in Dharamsala by seven wickets. The series was levelled following India’s huge 141-run victory in Mohali, the cornerstone of which was Rohit Sharma’s third double hundred, on Wednesday.
“Mentally we are all well prepared. We will not repeat the mistakes in Mohali. First match we won, then they bounced back and we want to put the mistakes behind us and put up a good show here,” Perera added.
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Sri Lanka had done reasonably well in Mohali to contain India to 277 for one in 43 overs. But the last seven overs proved to be a disaster as India scored at a frantic pace as 115 runs came in the last seven overs. Seamers Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal, in a bid to get the wide yorker going, played into the opposition’s hands.
“We had a chat about what went wrong in Mohali over the last two days. These things happen in cricket. Nuwan and Suranga bowled really well in the first game, but failed to execute those plans in the second game. We have spoken about it and I am pretty certain that they will deliver in tomorrow’s game,” said a confident Perera.
Captain Rohit was a thorn in the Sri Lankan flesh as he registered his second double hundred against Sri Lanka in the 50-over format. “Our bowling didn’t click and that was disappointing. We have some plans for Rohit and now it is up to our bowlers to execute those plans. We will see what happens tomorrow,” Perera went on to say.
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“Taking early wickets is the key against India. In Dharamsala, we took those early wickets and that put more pressure on India’s middle and lower order. Early wickets in the first 20 overs is going to be crucial,” noted Perera.
Sri Lanka have never won a bilateral series in India and if they win on Sunday, they will be creating history. “From our side we take it as just another game. Not thinking too much as to whether the series is at stake or whatever. India are the best team in the world and I am sure they will be under some sort of pressure.”
Sri Lanka named 12 players ahead of the game adding top order batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama to the side that lost the second ODI. Samarawickrama is expected to play ahead of struggling Lahiru Thirimanne.
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