Sports
Jayasuriya mantra is working
by Rex Clementine
After the disappointment of the 1999 World Cup, where Sri Lanka failed to go beyond the first round, it was to Sanath Jayasuriya Sri Lanka Cricket turned to to put the team back on the track. In his own inimitable style, he turned things around for the team. In his first series, Sri Lanka beat world champions Australia in the tri-nation final and into the bargain recorded a first ever Test win over the Aussies.
Some 25 years later, with Chris Silverwood stepping down last month as Head Coach with Sri Lanka knocked out of the first round of the World Cup, it was to Sanath SLC turned again to oversee two tough series on an interim basis – India at home and England overseas. He has started off well.
After being appointed Head Coach, when Jayasuriya addressed a media briefing, he was thrown under the bus. He was asked whether he had any coaching experience before. Ravi Shastri had no prior coaching experience when he took over the Indian job but he went on to achieve the unimaginable by completing a series win in Australia. The last straw was the Aussies being beaten at The Gabba, one of their strongholds, in the series decider.
Shastri was no expert in teaching Rohit Sharma how to play the cover drive or give tips to Mohammed Siraj on how to reverse the old ball. Coaching cricket at the top level is hardly technical and mainly man management. That is what Sanath can do so well. He will be firm with the dodgers with a few choicy Sinhala words but would support those who require bit of attention and lot of affection. He will run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.
At the outset, Sanath made it very clear that people who are representing the country need to show some respect for the national cap. Sadly, modern day cricketers think of themselves as models and not as role models. Studs came off and colouring of the hair stopped. Nothing can be done about the tattoos but for those who are breaking into the side at least, if Sanath remains they’ve got to get their priorities right.
We have been following the Australian system when it comes to coaching for a few years now. No doubts the Australian system has plenty of good things but some of those methods are irrelevant and unsuited for Sri Lanka. For example, the day before a game, it is optional training for the Aussies. David Warner can take a day off the day before a game, no doubt about it. But if 21-year-old Dunith Wellalage wants to take a break day prior to the game than there is a problem there.
It is so good to see that under Sanath Sri Lankan cricketers giving priority to training. The team has not been covering themselves in glory in recent years and there are so many areas you can improve on. Good on him for rectifying this key aspect.
Sanath also has been a very much hands-on coach. He has been clear with the kind of pitches and composition of the side he wants. He has been criticized for not playing on flat tracks. But by no means these have been bad wickets. These pitches have tested batters skill and temperament. Low scoring games are always thrillers.
Of course, at ICC events you get belters and the team could struggle. But given the low ebb the team is at the moment, doing well against a team like India will be a shot in the arm.
The teams are heading to RPS today with the series at stake. India are under tremendous pressure. They have not lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka since 1997.
At the start of the series, if someone had told you that Sri Lanka will be on the verge of a series win heading into the final game, many would have suggested that that person was daydreaming. Mind you this is an Indian side that included Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer. To humble such a formidable line up is sensational indeed. It is all due to hard work and meticulous planning.
That night when Sri Lanka tied the T-20 International at Pallekele and lost on Super Over, the team was crestfallen. So was Sanath. He didn’t let the emotions get the better of him. He travelled the same night to Colombo to work with the ODI players the following morning. That kind of commitment needs to be appreciated.
The players have been committed to the team. The energy they are showing on the field has not been seen before for a long time. These are all steps in the right direction.
This series will give Sri Lanka an enormous amount of self-belief. It will bring back the fans and sponsors. India have been giving us a hard time in recent years. Overcoming them will be the ultimate joy for there’s no better feeling in sports than beating the big brother.
Sri Lanka will begin their three match T20I series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday with an opportunity for several youngsters to stake their claims, although the absence of Pathum Nissanka leaves a sizeable hole at the top of the order.
Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked batter in the ICC T20I rankings, has been one of the side’s most consistent performers in recent years and his absence deprives the tourists of a proven match-winner against a Pakistan attack that will still carry plenty of firepower despite resting several senior players.
The three T20Is will be played in Rawalpindi on October 9, 11 and 13 before attention switches to the seven match ODI tri-series involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.
While Sri Lanka will miss Nissanka, his absence opens the door for highly rated Sineth Jayawardene, who has been earmarked as one for the future. The former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain now has an opportunity to show that he can make the considerable jump from domestic and age group cricket to the international stage. Sineth skippered Royal College, Colombo with distinction.
There will also be considerable interest in leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, another player Sri Lanka have invested in with an eye on the future. With Wanindu Hasaranga out of the equation, Viyaskanth has an opportunity to make a strong case for a regular berth rather than remain on the fringes.
Sri Lanka will be encouraged by the fact that Pakistan too have opted to look beyond some of their established names for the T20I leg of the tour.
Sahibzada Farhan will captain Pakistan after leading them at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan, taking over from Salman Ali Agha, who has been left out of the T20I squad. Salman remains part of Pakistan’s ODI plans.
Pakistan have also rested Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the T20Is, although both return for the ODI tri-series, where Shaheen will continue as captain.
The hosts have named uncapped all-rounders Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa in their 15-member T20I squad, while Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz have been rewarded for impressive performances at the Asian Games.
Hasan finished the tournament as Pakistan’s leading run scorer with 123 runs, including a blistering 96 off 51 balls against India in the final, although Pakistan had to settle for silver.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah returns to Pakistan’s T20I squad having last played the format against Sri Lanka in February, while Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed provide experience.
For Sri Lanka, while Nissanka’s runs will be sorely missed his absence means someone else has the chance to put his hand up. Sri Lanka will hope one or two of their young guns grab that opportunity with both hands.
The ODI tri-series will follow the T20Is, with the first three matches being played in Rawalpindi before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining league games and the final.
Pakistan have retained a more experienced core for the 50-over competition, with Babar, Salman, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf among those included.
Former Pakistan Under-19 captain Saad Baig has earned his maiden ODI call-up after scoring more than 1,000 runs in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Moqim is another notable inclusion.
Pakistan have also strengthened their backroom staff, bringing back former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait as bowling consultant. Tait previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach in 2022-23 and replaces Ashley Noffke, who left after the Asian Games to take over as Netherlands head coach.
ATF Under-16 Colombo Week 1 Tennis
Sri Lanka’s junior players delivered a series of impressive performances on Wednesday, with the girls claiming all four semi-final places at the ATF Under-16 Colombo 2026 Week 1 tournament, held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.
Damsath Peiris
Methuli Naotunne led the charge with a notable quarter-final win over India’s Yashmitha Santhosh, recovering from a set loss to prevail 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Kiara Jayamanne also came from behind to beat India’s Ahnavi Shaw 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Risindi
Hewawasam
In an all-Sri Lankan quarter-final, Risindi Hewawasam overcame Desandi Peiris 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Disini Samaraweera defeated Sayli Basnayake 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
The Sri Lankan boys also impressed. Damsath Peiris beat Buvindu Jayawardhana 8-2, 7-6, and Yonal Dankumbura battled to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jayan Sebastian.
The visiting players, however, proved tough to beat. The Philippines’ Anthony Castigador defeated Sri Lanka’s Dehan Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-4, and India’s Gurshaan Chahal fought back to overcome Udeera Gunasinghe 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.
(RF)
Mosvold Sixes 2026 concluded on Sunday at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club with Travel Trends Leisure crowned champions after a closely fought final against last year’s winners, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, who finished as runners-up. Transco Travels were second runners-up.
Twenty three destination management companies took part in the six-a-side softball cricket tournament, organised by Mosvold Sri Lanka.
The Mosvold Martinus Challenge Trophy 2026 was presented to the champions by Nilanka Martinus, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Mosvold Boutique Hotels. Chief Guest Farveez Maharoof, the former Sri Lanka all-rounder, presented the runners-up award to Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka.
This year’s twenty three competing DMCs were Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka, Hayleys Travels, We stay Ceylon, Transco Travels and Ceylon Tours.
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