Angelo Mathews believes Rishabh Pant has the potential to influence the game similarly to Virender Sehwag.

NEW DELHI: The Sri Lankan cricket team is gearing up for a significant Test match against India, with the first game set to commence on Saturday in Galle. This venue holds historical significance for Sri Lanka, as it was the site of their last Test victory over India in 2015, a match led by then-captain Angelo Mathews. As the series approaches, discussions have predominantly centered around the potential impact of spin bowlers on the outcome of the matches.

Mathews, reflecting on the challenges of playing on spin-friendly pitches, cautioned that such conditions can sometimes backfire for the home team. "If I am not mistaken, India played on quite a few ranked turners against New Zealand and South Africa. Sometimes, it could backfire," he remarked. He emphasized that even the most skilled batsmen can struggle on these surfaces, recalling past experiences where Sri Lanka faced difficulties on similar pitches against foreign teams.

In his analysis, Mathews highlighted the importance of supporting players who can change the game’s dynamics, specifically mentioning Rishabh Pant. He drew parallels between Pant and former Indian star Virender Sehwag, who was known for his aggressive batting style. "Pant takes the game on as soon as he walks into the crease. So, bowlers, watch out. A player like that needs backing," Mathews stated, underscoring the need for management to nurture such talent.

Mathews also discussed the necessity for batsmen to adopt a proactive approach when facing spin, advising players to be decisive in their shot selection. "It's about being proactive. I think if you are sweeping, sweep well. If you are using your feet, use your feet well," he noted, stressing that understanding how to score runs on challenging wickets is crucial for success.

Another pressing issue for Sri Lankan cricket is the decline in Test matches played since the retirement of legends like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Mathews expressed disappointment over the limited opportunities for his team, attributing inconsistent performances to this lack of match exposure. "It's disappointing that the so-called big teams are not wanting to play too many matches against Sri Lanka," he said, calling for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take action to facilitate more Test cricket for his team.

He concluded by emphasizing that consistent play is essential for improvement, advocating for discussions between Sri Lanka Cricket and the ICC to increase the frequency of Test matches. "The more we play, the more we learn," Mathews added, highlighting the need for a more robust schedule to enhance the team's performance on the international stage.