Sanath Jayasuriya, as interim coach, has exerted positive influence on Sri Lanka team. What Sanath Jayasuriya has done right for Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka have flattered to deceive in the last few seasons. They have been, at best, unpredictable. But under the guidance of Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka are turning a new page in their cricketing history. Under Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka defeated a strong India side 2-0 in the ODI series at home; they won a Test at The Oval against England before whitewashing New Zealand 2-0 in a Test series at home. Jayasuriya has been duly rewarded with a one-year extension as the head coach after the team did well under his coaching.
What has Jayasuriya done right as the coach?
Calmness personified
When Sri Lanka lost the T20I series at home against India 3-0 despite being in control and in winning positions in at least two of the matches, Jayasuriya was calm and stable, not letting the defeat affect him or his team. The camera panned on him many times as Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed repeatedly, but Jayasuriya showed no emotions or frustration. He didn’t let the defeat affect him or his team, and they bounced back admirably to beat the 2023 World Cup runners-up 2-0 in the ODI series.
Even when playing a dead rubber against England at The Oval, having already lost the series, Jayasuriya got his team back on track to win a memorable match, beating England in their own den. Jayasuriya has brought a calm influence on the team, not letting defeat affect the morale of the side and quickly moving on to the next task.
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Instilling self-belief
Despite a crushing 3-0 T20I series loss, Sri Lanka never stopped believing in themselves and came back strongly to beat India 2-0 in the ODI series. Jayasuriya has instilled immense self-belief in his team. They can compete and even win games out of difficult situations. A lot of credit goes to the head coach for motivating his team to lift up after every downfall and keep believing in themselves. The Oval win over England is another testimony of Jayasuriya’s coaching abilities to inspire his boys.
Grooming young players
Jayasuriya has backed his young and inexperienced players to be competitive and produce match-winning performances. So, 21-year-old Dunith Wellalage had the star India batters all at sea, taking 7 wickets while also scoring 108 runs in the 2-0 ODI series win.
Meanwhile, Kamindu Mendis has started his Test career with a bang, reaching 1000 runs in just 8 Tests and helping his team win an important Test at The Oval with a knock of 64. He produced two tons in the 2-0 Test series win over New Zealand at home. These young, talented players coming out of Jayasuriya’s guidance are set to chart new territories for Sri Lanka, and a lot rests on the head coach to guide and mould them.
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Revival of veterans’ careers
Jayasuriya has not just been grooming young players but is also helping revive experienced players’ careers. The likes of Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews are seeing a fresh impetus to their cricketing journey in the twilight of their careers under the guidance of Jayasuriya. The two veterans are giving Sri Lanka cricket the right balance of youth and experience in Tests, chipping in with useful knocks in the 2-0 Test series win against New Zealand. Both the batters produced two scores of fifty or more each in the three innings against New Zealand.
Mathews has credited Jayasuriya for bringing the revival in Sri Lanka cricket. He was quoted as saying, “Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach. He communicates well and has given us a lot of freedom. We are all working towards one goal, and now everyone is on the same page. He’s also done a superb job grooming the players. He has been amazing. I wish him all the very best.”
The way forward for Jayasuriya is to keep up the good work done so far, motivate and push his players to keep giving their best, and always be competitive. With a few ICC tournaments lined up, Jayasuriya would be targeting nothing but a title as his resurgent team has found new hope under him.
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