Internet Desk: The ICC has banned Sri Lanka’s limited overs skipper Upul Tharanga for two matches due to slow over rate during the second match against India. In his place the board has appointed Chamara Kapugedera as the stop-gap captain for the side in next two games against Kohli & co. Kapugedera looked very happy that the selectors have given him the opportunity to lead the side.
“It is a huge honour for me to captain my country. I am really happy to get this opportunity,” said Kapugedara at the pre-match press-conference today.
Kapugedera though yet to decide that who will open the innings and what would be the middle order.
“We haven’t actually gone through the team or finalized the team. Still looking around for options. Hard to say now as to who will open or who will play in the middle order,” added the newly appointed Sri Lankan captain.
On being asked whether if it means that, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne aren’t sure to feature the playing XI, Kapugedera said,”Not like that but we have not finalized. We are looking at the options.”
Sri Lankan bowlers bowled brilliantly against the hosts in the last match. Especially mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya was the best among them. Kapugedera is taking much confidence from the last game though after that valiant effort the team believes that they can win.
“After the last game we believe that we can win. We played really well. Especially it was a fine effort by Akila Dhanajanya. One hurdle we have to overcome and things will fall in line,” said Kapugedera.
When asked whether he had any captaincy experience in the past, the Sri Lankan batsman added,”
I have captained my school teams and I have captained Provincial and club teams. I have captained at every domestic competition.”
The hosts need to win two games to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in England. According to Kapugedera they are only focusing to win tomorrow’s game.
“I am not saying that those are things that matter, but more than any of those, what we are focusing on is to what we need to do to win tomorrow’s game. We don’t want to look too forward. Winning the next game is the most important thing,” concluded Kapugedera.