Kandy, Aug 4: Playing without some of their key performers, Sri Lanka lost the fifth ODI of the five-match series against India by 20 runs. Speaking to the media after the 1-4 series loss, stand-in skipper Angelo Mathews, who led the team in place of Mahela Jayawardene, reflected on his side’s display in the competition.
Excerpts from the press conference:
On Mahela Jayawardene not playing the match
He has been playing with a niggling back injury in the recent past. The physio felt that he should have a small break because we have all had a long season. To recover from [his niggle], the physio and the management decided that he should rest today.
On SL’s performance against India
We haven’t played that well against India, particularly in this series. We can’t be losing 1-4 to India. We knew that their batting is quite strong from the beginning. We just made too many mistakes on that particular day and that was the downfall.
On whether he was happy with the way the team had performed though the result didn’t go their way
It is very encouraging to see guys like Lahiru Thirimanne and Jeevan Mendis coming to the show because we always rely on [Kumar] Sangakkara’s, Mahela’s and [Tillakaratne] Dilshan’s [performance] to win us games. But [here] we saw the guts that Thirimanne and Mendis had. They almost pulled it through but unfortunately we fell 20 runs short.
On captaining Sri Lanka in an ODI for the first time
This was a very good experience for me. Captaining Sri Lanka is an honour. Fortunately, I got a chance to captain today. I just want to perform and try and do my best for the country.
On using the upcoming T20 against India to shape plans for the World T20
Yes, it will be important. We have the SLPL coming as well just before the ICC World T20 so it will be good preparation for us.
On how much of his decision-making could be attributed to the team management and Mahela
We always take decisions as a team. We always talk and discuss things with the senior guys [whether in the] dressing room or on the field. It was a collective effort.
On losing from what was possibly a winning position
We know that we have the [potential] in our dressing room but it is just that we are not [able to] pull it off well in the end. It is very disappointing but it is good to see the guys fighting till the last moment.
