Sri Lanka is going through a bad patch in the game. Starting from the early exit from Champions Trophy to series against India, nothing is working right for the Lankans. Poor shot selection and team selection might be one of the reasons that are making situations worse for this once legendary team.
Fans and even the state government is criticising such a shameful performance that has led the Lankan skipper Tharanga to plead for their support. But the Indian Skipper has assured to be by the side of the team and coach, Nic Pothas after India are done playing the series.
Virat Kohli was asked about Pothas’ comment that they would interact with the Indian team management to overcome the transition period difficulties their team is facing currently. Kohli said that he is open to discussion on the matter but not while the game is on.
“We haven’t had any discussions yet. Those things may happen after the competitive zone is over and done with the series. I think that will happen after September 6 if it has to happen from their end,” Kohli said at the pre-match press conference today.
Kohli also said that India too suffered long back from bad patch after the retirement of some great legends but they did revert back. It is absolutely weird for fans and people to criticize a team and it’s important to understand what’s going around.
“…But look it is difficult for any team going through a transition. One thing that we decided to do as a team took more responsibility and ownership of what we do on the field when playing for the country. We just needed to change our mindset.” he voiced saying Mindset and indeed a positive one is important for challenges.
“It didn’t matter if we were playing against a side that has played 60 Tests each – if we are mentally more prepared than them then we are in a better position to win. So we decided to put our heads in that zone where experience didn’t matter much for us. It was the fight and competitiveness we were willing to show and the desire to fight for longer periods that helped us get through that phase quicker than what others might have faced,” he added.
On the crowd’s reaction to the team bus, last Sunday at Dambulla Kohli commented:
“I’m not someone who will sit here after not performing and request the fans to be patient with us or (tell them) ‘please don’t react in a bad way’. That’s a very personal choice. If I, as a fan, am watching a game and I see a team not being able to do well I would feel compassion. I would not burn effigies or smash faces, put on mannequins and what not. I would show compassion because you can understand at a human level that everyone’s trying hard out there and no one wants to go out there to lose or fail.”
“I think people find the ease and convenience, and the pleasure in pulling other people down which I personally don’t believe in.” he concluded
