Sanath Jayasuriya welcomed the changing dynamics of One-Day International cricket, with aggressive batting and increasingly audacious chases challenging conventional ideas of what constitutes a winning total.
Recently in Rawalpindi, England posted 429 for four, with Harry Brook smashing a record-breaking double century off 114 balls. Sri Lanka responded with a remarkable chase, reaching 430 for eight with a ball to spare.
For the former Sri Lanka captain, such contests reflect the growing confidence of modern-day batters, even as they place bowlers under mounting pressure.
“It’s very good to see that it is happening and players are getting runs on the board and chasing it, which is good for cricket. Teams and players are getting more and more confident and that is the key. Anything is possible these days and it is good to see that teams are putting runs on the board and even chasing, but I can see that is also putting the bowlers under pressure,” he said.
“It’s been a lot of changes in the rules. New things have come up in cricket with new regulations which is good for the game,” he said on Friday, during the jersey launch of two ISCL teams.
With Sri Lanka set to tour India for a white-ball series next month, Jayasuriya hopes the team can carry the confidence from its remarkable chase in Pakistan into the tour.
“It’s a good confidence (booster) for the Sri Lankan team, which is doing well before they come to India. The confidence is high, they are playing well and I hope they will do well in India too,” he said.
Jayasuriya backs Abhishek
Abhishek Sharma’s fearless approach at the top of the order often draws comparisons with Jayasuriya, one of the original disruptors of one-day cricket.
The Sri Lankan legend, however, sees more than just power in the Indian opener’s batting. The youngster has scored 196 runs in four T20I matches in the ongoing series against New Zealand, including a 113 off 38 balls in Wellington.
“He is an all-round player, you cannot say anything in specific is strong — he is an all-round player. He can play in any part of the park so that is a good thing,” Jayasuriya said.
The former Sri Lanka head coach also lauded the depth of talent in Indian cricket, saying the current crop had been making the most of its opportunities.
“(They are) talented cricketers, they are playing well. India has got the talent and he (Abhishek) is playing good cricket at the moment. There are quite a few Indian players who have been doing well, good to see them, they are talented and they work hard and are playing well,” he said.
With India set to face New Zealand in a two-Test series later this month, Jayasuriya expected a competitive contest.
“They are going to do well for sure but away from India they have always looked to do well and it will be a good series,” he said.
Jayasuriya also backed teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to develop into a valuable asset for Indian cricket, while cautioning that the youngster still had a long road ahead.
“He has a long way to go but it is a good future for India. Let him play his natural game and let him do his work and it will be a good investment for Indian cricket,” he said.
Published on Oct 30, 2026
