It is not just Angelo Mathews who needs to score: Dinesh Chandimal

Sri Lanka finds themselves in a familiar position, where they need to pull up their socks and bring out top-class cricket in order to avoid a series defeat at the hands of the Indians. India are currently leading the three-match series 1-0, with the final match set to be played in Delhi from tomorrow, 2nd December. The skipper Dinesh Chandimal said that it is not just veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews who needs to do the bulk scoring.

Chandimal said that there are other senior members also and therefore they need to bat well and contribute to the total. Sri Lanka looked off-colour in the Nagpur Test. India posted a total of 600-plus runs and the visitors faltered without a fight.

Chandimal defends Mathews

“Mathews is a senior batsman we have got in our batting line up but it’s not only him there are other senior batsmen also. And even for the youngsters, they all have to take the responsibility when they are out there in the middle.

“So it’s not only about Angelo but also about others, who have to stand up and perform in the middle,” he added.

Chandimal also said that experienced spinner Rangana Herath’s absence is a big loss for the Lankan side. “Rangana is a big loss unfortunately as he has got a back injury. We have got Lakshan Sandakan and Jeffrey Vandersay in our line-up. They have a good opportunity to play.”

The skipper said it is important to bat for long hours, something which the top-order batsmen failed to do.“That’s a problem we have had over the last one and half years. The top-five batsmen have to play long innings. That’s where we have lost in the past one year. I am sure the guys will have different plans for the next game and they will do their best,” Chandimal said.