The Sri Lanka Cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha, who had played a significant role in Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup victory at Lahore, has termed India skipper Virat Kohli, as one of the best batsman owing to his scoring rate while proving mettle in crunch moments of the game. (Read Here: SL v IND, 1st Test, Lunch Report: Dhawan, Pujara Lift India After Early Loss Of Mukund).
“Virat [Kohli] is one of the greatest players in the world and has proven it by consistently scoring,” Gurusinha was quoted as Hindustan Times.
The Delhi-born middle-order batsman Kohli is averaging over 50 in limited-overs cricket, and 49.41 in Test cricket after featuring in 57 Tests.
The former left-handed batsman Gurusinha reiterated the visitors have a quality batting line-up in the squad which has produced desired results under the leadership of Kohli, who has been on a song with the bat.
“It (India) is a very strong and experienced batting line-up,” Gurusinha maintained.
Gurushina further went on to say that India is laced with an aggressive brand of players while stating the side has played quality cricket to acclimatise the different conditions.
“They (players) are all aggressive players and they have played enough cricket – to adjust to any conditions,” Gurusinha remarked.
Terming India as the formidable unit, Gurusinha stated the hosts have worked hard to face the stern Test against a Kohli-led side which has claimed 12 victories in 17 Tests under the guidance of the then coach Anil Kumble.
“It is not going to be easy for any side, not just Sri Lanka,” Gurusinha added.
The 50-year-old Colombo-born batsman believes in executing the game plan is the best idea to contain the opposition it could work wonders if executed well on the ground.
However, Gurusinha stated the 22-year-old Kusal Mendis as his favourite player while expecting him to join the ranks of Virat Kohli as a prolific batsman owing to his preparations.
“It is our job to outthink them and that’s what we will focus on,” Gurusinha further added.
You have to come with really good plans and then execute in the middle, which is the most important thing,” Gurusinha further added.
On the flip side, Gurusinha is aware of the pros and cons of the game, he further admitted the plans would be of no help if the skipper and his team would fail to perform in the middle.
“If you come up with plans but don’t execute it, then it is not going to help,” Gurusinha concluded.
Seeing as a challenge for the hosts, Gurusinha stated the is working on the basics and their prime focus would be to give a hard-fight to the visitors.