IND SL Mohali Test – Gunawardene to train Lankan batters – In a desperate bid to save Sri Lanka from another batting disaster, SLC has sent former Test player Avishka Gunawardene as a batting consultant for the India tour. Gunawardene will work as a batting consultant for the two-match Test series starting March 4. Follow IND vs SL Test series Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The U-19 coach travelled with Dimuth Karunaratne and others and reached Mohali ahead of the Dharamshala leg of the T20 series. With no hard quarantine for players, they straight away began practice session from the next day.
IND SL Mohali Test: After SOS from captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka Cricket sends ‘SPECIAL COACH’ to train Test team for Mohali Test
IND SL Mohali Test: After SOS from captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka Cricket sends ‘SPECIAL COACH’ to train Test team for Mohali Test
However, the former left-hander batter is unlikely to stay back for the entire series. As the rest of the players and coaching staff reach Mohali, Avishka Gunawardene will leave for Colombo.
Members of the Sri Lanka Test Squad left the country early this morning to take part in the 02 match Test series vs India. 🛫#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/2ngFW6NLDM
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 25, 2022
IND SL Mohali Test: After SOS from captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka Cricket sends ‘SPECIAL COACH’ to train Test team for Mohali Test
“He has been sent to train the Test players ahead of the two-Test matches. Once the full squad reaches Mohali (on Monday) after the 3rd T-20I is over on Sunday night, the coaching staff will take charge of the Test team,” Cric-Intra quoted a source as saying.
The Test probable had begun training under Avishka Gunawardene in Colombo before the Test squad was picked. Once back home, he will once again take charge of the Sri Lanka U-19 team.
IND SL Mohali Test: After SOS from captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka Cricket sends ‘SPECIAL COACH’ to train Test team for Mohali Test
Nice to end the series with a win. Well played guys👏
I’ve really enjoyed working with SL’s young crop of fast bowlers over the last 3 weeks. There’s so much natural talent and potential to work with.
I wish the team all the best for the upcoming India tour💪
Adios👋#AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/EEvBdjkcVw— Lasith Malinga (@ninety9sl) February 20, 2022
IND SL Mohali Test: After SOS from captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka Cricket sends ‘SPECIAL COACH’ to train Test team for Mohali Test
It should be noted that Lasith Malinga was a consultant bowling coach in Australia for the five-match T20 series. Furthermore, Sri Lanka are yet to finalise a head coach after Mickey Arthur’s stint ended.
Sri Lanka eye maiden Test series win in India – For Dimuth Karunaratne, he will be aiming to create a big record in India. While the Mohali Test will be Sri Lanka’s 300th Test, they can spoil Virat Kohli’s 100th Test party with a win. Sri Lanka have never won a Test series in India and that will be target. However, considering India are fielding a full-strength squad, it looks unlikely.
- 1982-83: India Draw Sri Lanka (0-0)
- 1986-87: India beat Sri Lanka (2-0)
- 1990-91: India beat Sri Lanka (1-0)
- 1993-94: India beat Sri Lanka (3-0)
- 1997-98: India Draw Sri Lanka (0-0)
- 2005-06: India beat Sri Lanka (2-0)
- 2009-10: India beat Sri Lanka (2-0)
- 2017-18: India beat Sri Lanka (1-0)
Sri Lanka Test Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva (vc), Kusal Mendis (subject to fitness), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya.
IND SL Mohali Test: After SOS from captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka Cricket sends ‘SPECIAL COACH’ to train Test team for Mohali Test
