Task at hand: Mathews feels that pacers like Asitha will have a role to play with the new ball.
| Photo Credit: PTI
As Sri Lanka looks to end its decade-long win drought against India in Tests, former Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews said the team has to play a positive brand of cricket to tame the visitors.“You’ve got all the videos, and there are no secrets in international cricket nowadays. So, it’s about the positive body language and the mindset they need to take into the field. They are coming up against a huge Indian line-up, and it’s never easy to play against them in any condition. It’s a matter of having the right attitude and taking the game on,” Mathews said during an online interaction on Friday, on the eve of the first Test starting in Galle.In the build-up to the match, there has been a lot of focus on the spin strengths of both sides and how many could feature in the XI. However, the 39-year-old felt that fast bowlers could still play a huge part in the series.“Spin plays a major role, especially in these conditions. So Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis will be vital. But I wouldn’t rule out the pacers. Guys like Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando will have a bigger role to play, especially with the new ball, and also trying to keep it tight at one end so the spinners can go at the Indian batters. It has to be a collective effort,” he added.The former Lanka all-rounder reckoned that India might miss Jasprit Bumrah, especially in Galle, where quicks can get reverse swing.“Bumrah has got the skill to bowl in any condition. And he would have been lethal, especially in Galle with the reverse swing. So, Sri Lanka is quite lucky not to have come up against Bumrah. But Siraj, Jadeja, and Kuldeep have got the skill. So, Sri Lankan batters can’t be complacent. You have got to respect the game and take it in a positive attitude,” said Mathews.(Watch the Sri Lanka-India Test series live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony LIV from 10 a.m. on August 15). Published - August 15, 2026 06:02 am IST
