Tharanga confident in team, asks fans for patience and confidence

Issuing a statement through Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday, Sri Lanka One Day Captain Upul Tharanga urged the country’s cricket fans to rally around the national team and have confidence in the Lankan.

“Every team goes through a rough patch,” he said. “This is something that happens in cycles to every team and every nation no matter how great a cricketing nation they are. Sri Lanka dominated in all three formats for a good 18 years – don’t forget this now when we are going through a rough patch. Obviously there are some things we can’t openly discuss due to strategic reasons but there are certain areas behind the scenes that need to fall into place for us. These areas are being taken care of, and we are seeing the results behind the scenes. However, it will take a little more time for it to be seen externally, so please have patience, and most importantly have faith.

“Sri Lanka have always been stronger in our white-ball format, and I am confident that we will come out strong and beat India. We have the talent, we have the skill. We have been putting in the hard work, we just need the spirit and for that we need your support too. The support of our fans plays a big role in the morale of the team. We play for our country and our goal is to bring pride to our family of 20 million in this nation – so your support is something that matters greatly to us.

“Yesterday despite the defeat, we saw spectators cheering us and applauding us – this is what we need. It inspires us to fight harder too. So as the captain of the ODI and T20 teams I want to appeal to each and every one of you to have confidence in us, be with us, inspire us to rise again as strong Lions,” Tharanga added.

ODI/T20 Squad

The ODI/T20 Squad for the India Series recommended for the ratification of the Minister of Sports is as follows:

1. Upul Tharanga (Captain)

2. Angelo Mathews

3. Niroshan Dickwella

4. Dhanushka Gunatillake

5. Kusal Mendis

6. Chamara Kapugedera

7. Milinda Siriwardena

8. Malinda Pushpakumara

9. Akila Dhananjaya

10. Lakshan Sandakan

11. Thisara Perera

12. Wanindu Hasaranga

13. Lasith Malinga

14. Dushmantha Chameera

15. Vishva Fernando