Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood was left disappointed after his team failed to win the Asia Cup 2023 final against India. Speaking on the defeat, Sri Lankan coach Chris Silverwood said it was a timely wake-up call for his side ahead of the ODI World Cup next month.
Chris Silverwood on Asia Cup 2023 Final Defeat
In the Asia Cup 2023 Final against India, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 50 after India pacer Mohammed Siraj grabbed six for 21, and the visitors romped to a 10-wicket win here on Sunday.
“We played very good cricket to get to the final. I think we have to regroup and put some confidence into the players. You know sometimes a bit of a kick to the rear end is not the worst thing before going into a big tournament,” said Silverwood during the post-match press meet.
Silverwood said the Lankan team needed to ask tough questions and try to move on from this defeat.
“It was a super bowling performance by India. We did not help ourselves either and were disappointed with the way we finished. We have a big World Cup tournament coming, and we need to ask a few questions in the dressing room and move forward from this,” he said.
The Englishman underlined the importance of finding consistency, especially as a batting unit.
“We are going to compete against teams like India, Pakistan and Australia (in WC) and we have to be consistently at our best.
“So, we need to find consistency in the batting. We bat all the way down to No. 7, and we have the experience. So, it is a bit of concern (lack of consistency) and we will talk about it,” he added.
Silverwood agreed that the injuries to some key players including Wanindu Hasaranga did not help Lanka, but cannot use it as an excuse for a defeat of this nature.
“We have had some injuries in the bowling department but that cannot be used as an excuse in the batting department.
“The schedule around international cricket is tough at the moment, we have to live with it,” he said.
However, Silverwood found some light in the emergence of young players like pacer Matheesha Pathirana and all-rounder Dunith Wellalage.
“Pathirana and Wellalage have really emerged on the international stage, and (Kusal) Mendis has come back to form.
“There are some good individual and team performances but consistency is the key, and then we can think of beating teams like India,” he said.
Sri Lanka will be playing two warmup games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan before the ICC men’s World Cup 2023 on September 29 and October 3 at Barsapara Stadium.
