Sri Lanka coach Jayasuriya accepts criticism after T20I series loss against India

Following a 3-0 series loss to India in the T20I matches at Pallekele, Sanath Jayasuriya, the head coach of Sri Lanka, recognized the fans' right to feel discontent with the team's performance.

He earnestly requested their continued support, emphasizing the players' hard work.

"I see the players putting in an enormous amount of effort. I appeal to the fans to come to the ground and support the team during the ODIs," he urged.

The series was marked by missed opportunities, particularly evident in the third T20I where Sri Lanka needed 28 runs off 29 balls with nine wickets in hand but ended up losing in the Super Over. Jayasuriya noted, "The third game should never have gone to a Super Over."

He explained that while coaches provide guidance, players must handle the pressure. He highlighted poor shot selection and pressure management as key issues, despite the players' evident commitment and rigorous training sessions.

Jayasuriya also acknowledged the good starts in recent games and the overall positive signs but stressed that winning is crucial. He expressed the team's responsibility to accept criticism and learn from it, recalling similar experiences from his playing days.

"We have created a system where top order batters could bat for two or three-hours during training," he said. "Kamindu Mendis batted for more than 600 balls during our training. Kusal Perera batted for over 700 balls and that's quite a number of overs. I don't see lack of commitment, but they have got to tackle pressure better. Their cricket awareness also needs sharpening."

He further added, "If you see, in the last three games, we started well. That's what you're looking for - for the top three-four to bat well, which we did. That is a positive sign. Also in the second game, the rain-affected game, we started well and we could have had some more runs on the board. The third game also, it was a very good start for us, and we bowled well. Apart from the first game, we fielded really well, we fielded well... But still there is no excuse for us to say anything, and for us to win is the ultimate thing.

"It's disappointing as a coach, but we have to take the criticism as well, as a coach, as a support staff, as a team. We are taking the responsibility, you can't go away from that. As long as they realise that, and make sure that, we'll have to keep giving them the confidence and support I had to go through this (phase) in my time as a cricketer, every cricketer has to go through this. When criticism comes, you have to take it."

Sri Lanka's preparation for the upcoming ODIs faced another challenge with injuries to key fast bowlers. Jayasuriya lamented the situation, noting the inclusion of two uncapped fast bowlers, Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga, due to the injuries. He emphasized the importance of having capable replacements and the responsibility of the High Performance Centre to ensure this.

"It's a bit unfortunate. Even before this series started, two got injured. Just before the T20s had started, three got injured. Unfortunately, as a coach it's the worst thing when my key fast bowlers are getting injured. We'll have to have the replacements. That's the key. Sri Lanka Cricket's High Performance Centre has the responsibility to make sure that the replacements are available. It's tough for some of the players who haven't been in the international arena, and haven't played international cricket. It's good that they will be in the squad around these players and get that experience. So, it's a bit tough."