We beat them in the Champions Trophy and that is a positive for us: Upul Tharanga

Sri Lanka’s newly appointed limited-overs skipper Upul Tharanga has admitted about their lack of success in the recent past and is hopeful that the team will well in the upcoming ODI series against India. Though the Sri Lankans got whitewashed by India in the recent Test series at home, Tharanga feels that the team would be taking the confidence of defeating them in the Champions Trophy encounter and wants consistency from his team.

Sri Lanka recorded their joint-highest successful run-chase during the CT game against India at The Oval where they chased India’s total of 321/6 by losing only three wickets. Tharanga didn’t feature in that game as he was suspended following a slow over-rate offence he faced while leading the team in the absence of Angelo Mathews in a game against South Africa. The 5-match ODI series will be starting on August 20 (Sunday) at the Rangiri International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla.

“We beat them in the Champions Trophy and that is a positive for us. We as a team can beat any team. As a captain, I will say that we must be consistent,” said Tharanga. “We have been successful in the last decade. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well in the last 18-20 months. We have to be more consistent,” he added.

Mathews to bowl a few overs

Tharanga says that they will be taking the field in the first ODI with two seamers and the former captain Mathews is expected to chip in with a few overs as well. The all-rounder hasn’t contributed yet with the ball since his return in the Champions Trophy game but has been cleared to bowl ahead of this series.

“We will play two seamers, and Angelo also might bowl a few overs. A few overs from him will give the side the balance,” said Tharanga in the pre-match media conference on Saturday.

This series will be Tharanga’s maiden assignment as full-time captain, though he has led the Lankan side in 14 ODIs and 5 T20Is previously.