Follow UsSri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya feels that despite not winning even a single game in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, his team has the ability to go far, if they can just be consistent in their approach.
Speaking after Sri Lanka’s Super Over loss to India in their final Super Four game of Asia Cup 2025, Jayasruriya said that the only thing he was dissatisfied with in this tournament was the loss against Bangladesh.
"Today, India played very well to get over 200. Our boys showed they're capable of chasing that, but again we just fell short. Apart from that Bangladesh game, I'm fairly satisfied, though disappointed not to reach the final,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Jayasuriya as saying.
“We have the batting and bowling quality. The key is to execute plans according to conditions and opposition. If we do that consistently, this team can go very far,” he added.
Talking about whether there is any mental block in finishing games against India, given that Sri Lanka failed to win an even easier game back in 2024 when they needed 9 runs in two overs, the match had gone to Super Over where the islanders had failed to win, Jayasuriya categorically denied of possibility of any such thing.
"I would've preferred to finish games in normal time. No captain or coach wants to go to a Super Over. Unfortunately, Dasun missed completing the third run (Sri Lanka needed 3 off the last ball with Dasun Shanaka on strike). But no, there's no mental block against India,” he said.
“Our batting line-up is strong, and we've given them confidence. Chasing 200 (203) is never easy, but we almost did it, which shows the quality we have."
Sri Lanka will be co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup and Jayasuriya will be hoping that his team is able to deliver on the expectations he has from them.