Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has urged his nation to take advantage of what he sees as their finest chance to overcome India in the forthcoming Test series. Maharoof played in 139 games for Sri Lanka, scoring 1,702 runs and taking 167 wickets.
Speaking on the series, he underlined that, whether playing at home or abroad, Sri Lanka seldom has the opportunity to defeat India. India’s last Test loss against Sri Lanka occurred in 2008. They have won the last two Test series played in Sri Lanka, in 2015 and 2017.
In view of Shubman Gill and company’s recent home series defeat to South Africa, he emphasised that Sri Lanka’s captain Dhananjaya de Silva might make history by leading his team to victory over India.
Dinesh Chandimal was named by Maharoof as the main player in Sri Lanka’s attempt to surprise India.
With 750 runs at an average of 50.00 over eight Tests and sixteen innings, Chandimal, a veteran of 92 Tests, has an outstanding record against India. Against the Indian bowling assault, he has scored two hundreds and three fifties.
In 2015, Chandimal’s most noteworthy performance occurred at Galle, where he helped Sri Lanka win by 63 runs with an undefeated 162. Maharoof emphasised that Sri Lanka’s hopes in the series would depend heavily on Chandimal’s expertise and track record against India.
The former all-rounder pointed out that Chandimal, who will bat at number three, is still the most seasoned player in Sri Lanka’s team and has fond memories of his past victories against Indian bowlers like Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Maharoof called on Sri Lanka to be more tenacious and reliable, particularly without the reliable Angelo Mathews.
