Sri Lanka’s southpaw batsman Kusal Perera believes senior players will need to pull up their socks if they are to beat a team like India. The visitors will need to come up with a collective team effort if they are to challenge the potent Indian team. Sri Lanka hasn’t got a lot of experienced players in their side which throws an opportunity to the young players to showcase their talent.
Meanwhile, Kusal Perera is also going to hold the key for the tourists. The southpaw batsman has the skills to hit the ground running and the team will be expecting quick runs from him. Perera has come up with decent performances while playing against India in the past and he would like to do the same in the second T20I.
Perera will bat at number three.
“I didn’t play consistent Test cricket but in white-ball cricket, I played the last series in Australia. There I played well but not up to the mark. So I will try to do my best in this series,” Perera said.
Sri Lanka has also called an experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews and he would aim to provide solidarity in the middle order. Mathews last played T20I format back in 2018 and he would look to deliver the goods.
“We need to play together as a team. Obviously the senior players will have to pull up their socks. They will have to do much better but at the same time the good thing is we have some young bowlers and batsmen in the squad,” Perera told bcci.tv.
On the other hand, Kusal Perera knows India is a hard side to beat especially in their own conditions. Virat Kohli-led side has also won two series against Bangladesh and West Indies and they would look to continue their home supremacy.
“They (India) are very good. In world cricket, India is at the top of the rank. So, as a team, we will try to do what we can do in the middle. We back our strengths,” he said
Perera will bat at number three and he would like to be at the top of his game. The left-hander added that he would look to bat with responsibility.
“This series will be a good experience for me as I have to take responsibility. I will have to bat at number three position and I will try to do my best,” he said.