‘India will miss Bumrah, it’s advantage Sri Lanka’ Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews believes Shubman Gill-led Indian team will miss pacer Jasprit Bumrah dearly in the two-match Test series, starting at Galle on Saturday. The former SL all-rounder also reckoned that this offers the hosts the best chance to win the series given India's comparatively inexperienced bowling attack.

"Yes, it [India's inexperienced bowling attack will be an advantage to SL] because Bumrah has got the skill to bowl in any condition. And he would have been lethal, especially in Galle with the reverse swing. That's why I feel Sri Lanka is quite lucky not to come up against Bumrah. But [pacer Mohammed] Siraj, [spinner Ravindra] Jadeja and [wrist spinner] Kuldeep Yadav, they've got skills too. So, our batters can't be complacent. They have got to respect [the opposition] and play the match with a positive attitude. But, India will definitely miss Bumrah," Mathews told mid-day about India's bowling line-up, during a virtual media interaction organised by the Sony Sports Network on Friday.

India's pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj (left) with speedsters Auqib Nabi (centre) and Gurnoor Brar in Galle on Thursday. PIC/PTI

Mathews, 39, a veteran of 119 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 90 T20Is also had a warning for the Dhananjaya de Silva-led Lankans though. He insisted that the batters should not be complacent.

"Both India and Sri Lanka are in a transitional phase at the moment, so I think that's going to be a challenge for them. Obviously, there's a huge advantage for Sri Lanka playing at home, knowing the conditions well, knowing their strategies, etc. But India also has played a lot of cricket in SL. So, it's not new for them too. It will be an even contest, I believe. Whoever plays aggressive, positive cricket will come out good," Mathews said.

Jasprit Bumrah

When asked what should be the strategy of the Gary Kirsten-coached SL team to counter visitors, he said: "It's basically a lot to do with the mindset and the attitude. You've got all the videos and there are no secrets in international cricket nowadays. So, it's just the right body language and mindset that they need to take on to the field. It's never easy to play against India in any condition. So, it's a matter of having that right attitude."

Mathews also feels having coach Gary Kirsten is an asset to the Lankans. "We have a world-class coach [Kirsten], one of the best in the world, if not the best. He knows exactly what needs to be done. You need to trust the coach, give him what he needs, and support him all the way. And of course, be patient," added Mathews.

2
No of times India have lost against SL in nine Tests since 2010; both times at Galle