5 November - Delhi - Sri Lanka Captain Kusal Mendis pre-match press conference
[Reporter:]
A lot has been spoken about this particular game being held in Delhi so I just want to ask, there was a news that the Sri Lankan team has placed a request of or not willing to play the game at this very venue and they have placed a request to move it out from Delhi. So, is it correct or if you like to speak on this?
[SL Team Manager Mahinda Halangoda:]
Let me answer that question. I don't think we made a request like that. We didn't make a request to change, but we were just asking ICC what happens because when we came here, we saw that the Bangladesh team has cancelled and we saw actually the outside environment. So, we just asked them what's the plan. So, they said they will actually have a discussion, and then they'll come back. And I think they have installed some equipment here, and they've got specialists to check, and they are helping him out. So, they have already informed us that they are planning to go ahead. So, we will do exactly what the ICC actually tells us to do.
[Reporter:]
Bangladesh is another team that has struggled to find some form in the tournament. So how do you approach the game against Bangladesh and what are your aims, not much to play for, but still the Champions Trophy place is at stake, how do you keep to motivate the team for the remaining few games?
[Kusal Mendis:]
[translated by SL team Mahinda Halangoda:]
He says that we have played Bangladesh so many times previously and that he is all the confidence in his players and we have had actually instances where we played badly but come out strongly. So, he's quite confident that the players will do very well in tomorrow's game and that we will comment on.
[Reporter:]
Virat just scored 49th in ODI ton, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar. So, you would like to congratulate him?
[Kusal Mendis:]
Why I would congratulate him?
[Reporter:]
They played a Test match; the pollution was also there. Have you spoken to those players in the team, how they dealt with it? And is there any do's and don'ts given by the medical team for the players while playing a 50-over match, like for the fast bowlers, or how to take care of yourself during a match?
[SL Team Manager Mahinda Halangoda:]
I think we are constantly in touch with our medical team panel back in Sri Lanka. Actually, the professor who is in charge is already in India. Actually, he had come for a conference and we are in touch with him, the team doctor. And definitely we will be looking at the index, but obviously we will be guided by the ICC and I think they have a medical panel here so they will be giving us instructions.
Obviously, today when we came, we were wearing masks, and we were told to wear masks. But it depends exactly what the outside index is, and then we'll make a call on it.
[Reporter:]
How does the team cope with the high air pollution in Delhi? I mean that our team did not have a practice session yesterday. Do you believe this will pose a major challenge for the upcoming match?
[Kusal Mendis:]
We came to practice today, we couldn't come to practice yesterday either. There is a doctor from ICC and the team. Based on what they say, and based on today's training activities, we will decide whether or not to hold the match tomorrow.
[Reporter:]
Following the last game, what are the team's preparations for tomorrow's match? How has the team utilized these recent days to get ready for the match, especially after a loss by over 300 runs in the previous game?
[Kusal Mendis:]
When we actually talk about the previous match, I feel very sad about it. And that's why it's hard for us to stay thinking about that previous match. we still have two more matches in this tournament. We've identified our shortcomings as a team, and now our focus is on the upcoming matches. We want to forget about that match as soon as possible. But it is not a match that can be easily forgotten. We should always try to prepare ourselves for the next two matches without thinking about that match. Must win both upcoming matches. As the leader of the team, we have talked about what needs to be done for that. We have talked about where we went wrong. We want to play well in the upcoming matches.
[Reporter:]
We played the first match of this tournament here. And now we have to play again on this pitch. Do you think it will be easy for us? Because you guys are used to those pitch conditions now. What kind of conditions do you expect? Do you expect similar conditions that day, that is, do you think the conditions will be the same as the South Africa match? Or do you think it will be a different condition? Because this is a slightly used pitch.
[Kusal Mendis:]
Today, we've arrived at the stadium, and the nature of the pitch we'll encounter is uncertain. We'll need to make a decision after a thorough assessment. I anticipate that the wicket might not be as favorable as in the previous match, given the number of matches held on it. We're still unsure about the specific pitch conditions we'll be dealing with. I still don't know exactly what pitch to play. Because of that, I don't think there will be a big difference as to what we want to see today, because there are many pitches in one ground. It would be really good if the conditions were the same as before. If it is, I and the rest of our team can get into their average rhythm. If there is a change in the wicket, we have to adjust based on that. So I think because we have played a match here before, we have a little idea about what the wicket is like and what the ground is like, so with that, I think there won't be any big changes and we are looking at how to adapt to it.
[Reporter:]
Your team has unfortunately missed the opportunity to reach the semi-finals. How important is it to qualify for the ChammpionsTrophy by winning tomorrow's match? Do you have any idea about the composition of the team, and are there any indications that the team composition might undergo changes?
[Kusal Mendis:]
Although we lost the matches, we played well in all the other matches except the match against India. I think that the next two matches will be very important for the team because we can qualify for the Champions Trophy. First of all, we need to look at tomorrow's match, we need to look at how we will play, no matter what the situation is, our team has a plan. As I mentioned earlier, we have a specific goal in mind. Initially, we must observe how the World Cup concludes and under what circumstances. Winning the remaining two matches would bring our total victories to four, and I believe our team is not at a disadvantage. We can't judge our team solely based on the outcome of one match. Securing victories in the upcoming two matches would be beneficial both for the Champions Trophy and our team's confidence.
[Reporter:]
Given Sri Lankan team's persistent losses in recent matches, there has been a notable outcry within Sri Lanka, with demands for the resignation of both the selection committee and the coaching staff. What is your idea about the cricket coaches and the selection committee?
[Kusal Mendis:]
It is difficult for me to say exactly about it. We cannot say from a match that the cricket selection committees and the coaches should leave. When we won the matches, nothing came of that issue. My role is to manage my team as we participate in the World Cup. Discussing the matters, you mentioned is challenging for me because decisions in those areas are made by different individuals. My primary focus is on giving my best to the team and navigating through this tournament. Responding to your question is indeed a complex matter for me.
[Reporter:]
[Kusal Mendis:]
We have played a lot of matches with Bangladesh and within this year. we want to qualify for the Champions Trophy. This is a very important match. In terms of our team, we're not planning any major changes. Because we have played with Bangladesh. We have a lot of confidence in the team. Our team has faced all situations, we have been at low levels and we have been at good levels. We have won the match on those occasions too, since we've played against Bangladesh multiple times, both I and our team don't feel the need for extensive preparation for tomorrow's match.
[Reporter:]
We saw that after losing the match to Mumbai, we saw a big conversation going on in the dressing room till 11 p.m. Mahela Jayawardena and the team members were there. What was discussed there and what Mahela Jayawardena specifically said to the team.[Kusal Mendis]
Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, extending beyond just the competition on that particular day. We delved into our future plans, reflecting on the mistakes we made. Unfortunately, it's not possible for me to disclose all the details of our discussion here. In essence, we discussed strategies for handling pressure during a match, particularly during the middle phase, and how to exert pressure on the opposing team. That's what we really talked about there. We have discussed more than that when we have won matches. Not only when we lose matches. Maybe people would have seen it because it was shown on one of the cameras that day. We've had similar discussions before, addressing both our mistakes and our successes. Following those discussions, we gained increased attention, especially after scoring fewer runs on that particular day. We learned valuable lessons from that experience, and our conversations were indeed extensive. It's challenging for me to share all the details here, but they've been instrumental in our growth as a team.
[Reporter:]
You assumed the role of captain midway through the tournament, and there has been considerable discussion about the team's negatives. If we shift our focus to the positive aspects, what are the most significant strengths that you observe? In your perspective, what are the standout positive points for the Sri Lankan team so far, such as Dilshan Madhusankha's performance and Sadeera Samarawickrama's form?
[Kusal Mendis:]
Dilshan Madhushanka has been performing exceptionally well, particularly in his bowling. His standout performance in the Asia Cup 20-20 is noteworthy, It is really good that a pass bowler comes to India and bowls well like that. Currently, he holds a high ranking in the World Cup. Similarly, Sadeera Samarawickrama has showcased his talents, although he didn't have much playing time due to his absence from the team for the past three-four years. Even after that, he came to the team, made up his mind, and played well in the first World Cup, as the team wanted. He has an idea of what his role is. I am very happy that he is doing it that way. We are very happy about it as a team. After playing well in the qualifier as a team, they came to play in the World Cup. We played well in our first three or four matches. Even though two matches failed, there is hope as a team in future matches, I mean not in this World Cup but in the future tournament, we will definitely be selected for the semi-final. hold a strong belief that we have the potential to make significant strides in the future, as we've demonstrated our capabilities. It is because we lost one match that our team had to suffer such a setback. Talking about batsmen and bowlers, the novices have played very well. With Dunith Wellalage as part of our team, I have high hopes that we can achieve great success together.