Thilina Kandambi (Sri Lanka batting coach) pre-match Press Conference – 6th June 2024
[Reporter:]
The batting approaching the first game against South Africa?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
We had a good chat yesterday with the boys and they have realized the mistakes that they have done. Also, I think they are experienced enough to come back in this game. We have spoken about it – a lot of things, how we are going to play up. If the A game is not happening, how we transfer our mental approach to the B game. So, we have spoken about it. I think boys are pretty much up for it.
[Reporter:]
Tomorrow is virtually a knockout game. Are you sort of under tremendous pressure heading into tomorrow’s game?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
Not so really because I think we have played good cricket against Bangladesh in the recent past. So, we have that confidence and momentum going through this game.
[Reporter:]
In recent past, Sri Lanka is not performing that much well. So, do you think that Bangladesh could have some extra leverage or edge over Sri Lanka for this match?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
Recent past, I mean on this tour actually we played a couple of practice games and we lost the first game and the first match as well, but coming into this tournament actually the previous series, bilateral series against Bangladesh – we won and we played – all together I think we played very good cricket there. So, with that confidence I think boys know what to do tomorrow and we have a good – we have analysed their Strength and weaknesses as well. So, we have played each other more I mean recent past so because of that I think boys are confident enough.
[Reporter:]
Sri Lanka is one of the mighty team in the world cricket but this time your team started not well how frustrating it is and what do you say about your team condition?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
It’s a matter of one game actually – we didn’t bat well we accept that. But the way our bowlers and the fielders fought back, defending such a small total in New York, which is fantastic. And you can, I mean, we also have the confidence with our boys? I’m sure the batters have played a lot of cricket, so they can bounce back at any time.
[Reporter:]
Like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh also is not in good shape. So, you do you think it will be an added advantage for you in the upcoming match you’re going to play on tomorrow?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
It’s all about the process I think, how we’re going to approach the game from the ball one. That’s what I said earlier also that our boys are confident because we had a good series against Bangladesh recently. So, we can take that confidence and move forward.
[Reporter:]
Thilina, tomorrow’s match is very important for the Sri Lankan team. If the team is to stay in the tournament, they will have to win this match. How do you feel about the mentality of the Sri Lankan players and their preparation?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
Yeah, I think when we are coming for a tournament like this, we will have to face this kind of do-or-die situation. We are participating knowing that well. So, it’s a tough game; I know the first match didn’t go as well as the way we wanted. But after that, we had discussions; we had a lot of experienced players in the team, and they also mentioned what we would have to do in the next games. We can’t do much here in practice and preparations. But |I think the players are in a good mood, as we won the most recent two games we had with the Bangladesh team. So, we have that confidence for the next match.
[Reporter:]
Thilina, we saw that the New York pitch was very challenging for the Sri Lankan team. So, when we are talking about the pitch of this ground, do you think you can say something, or did you have time to study the ground and the pitch?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
Yeah, I think we watched a lot of matches on television and from the morning we watched the match here. So, I think it will be better than the wicket we had in New York. But we mostly get used pitches, and there will be challenging ground tomorrow. We have already discussed it, and we are well prepared for it.
[Reporter:]
So, after six days, Sri Lankan players had a chance to have a practice session. Can you just talk about yesterday’s practice session?
[Thilina Kandambi:]
It was very similar to the pitches we had in the previous match, so there was little to take from it. But we have discussed about it. So, it’s not worth talking about what happened in the past, and we have discussed how to move on with the things we will get in the future. We had an excellent fielding session. We have given the batsmen the opportunity to do whatever it takes to boost their confidence.