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Internet Desk: After a dominating performing against India at Dharmsala, Sri Lankan skipper Thisara Perera will be expecting a victory in the second match to clinch their maiden series victory in India.
“It is a good opportunity to win the series. Not many teams have won series in India. We want to do something special, like we did in Dharamsala,” Perera said on the eve of the second match of the three-ODI series.
Owing to adverse weather conditions, the Lankan team had to spend a day extra in Dharamsala and arrived at Mohali today. The cricketers of the island nation then practiced at the PCA Stadium in the afternoon.
Asked if there is an added pressure on the Sri Lankan team, Perera replied in the negative.
“It is not pressure. It is another game for us. Everyone knows if we win tomorrow we will win the series. We will give our 200 per cent,” the all-rounder said before hinting that they would go with the same XI that beat India by seven wickets in the series opener.
The visitors are a confident lot, having ended their 12- match losing run in Dharamsala but they expect India to come back harder, just like they did against New Zealand last month after losing the opening game of the three-match series.
“Yes they can but we are focused on our job. It was good to win after 12 losses and we know if we can repeat that performance, we will win tomorrow,” said Perera.
The Sri Lankan captain has the experience of playing at this ground, having represented Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League.
“It looks like a good batting track,” he said referring to the surface, which was covered for major part of the day due to overnight rain.
Talking about the squad, Perera said only Dhananjaya de Silva has fitness issues.
“Only he is not fit out of the 15,” said the skipper.
Asked about India not playing Ajinkya Rahane in Dharamsala on a pacer-friendly track, he said: “I am not an Indian selector, so I can’t say why he did not play. Obviously he is a good batsman. I can’t say anything more than that.”