Maharoof Backs Sri Lanka to Beat India

Farveez Maharoof, a former Sri Lankan all-rounder, has urged his country to take what he sees as their best chance to overcome India in the next Test series.

Maharoof represented Sri Lanka in 139 matches, scoring 1,702 runs and taking 167 wickets.

Speaking about the series, he underlined that Sri Lanka rarely has opportunities to win India, whether at home or abroad. India has won the last two Test series in Sri Lanka, triumphing in 2015 and 2017, with their last Test setback occurring in 2008.

He emphasised that Sri Lanka’s skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva, has the potential to make history by leading his team to victory over India, especially since Shubman Gill and his teammates approach with questions after their recent home series loss against South Africa.

Maharoof identified Dinesh Chandimal as the crucial figure in Sri Lanka’s attempt to upset India. Chandimal, a 92-Test veteran, had an impressive record against India, scoring 750 runs in eight Tests and 16 innings with an average of 50.00. He has scored two century and three fifties against the Indian bowling assault.

Chandimal’s most memorable performance occurred in 2015 at Galle, when he struck an undefeated 162 to help Sri Lanka win by 63 runs. Maharoof emphasised that Chandimal’s expertise and track record against India will be critical to Sri Lanka’s chances in the series.

The former all-rounder stated that Chandimal, who will bat at number three, is the most experienced player in the Sri Lankan team and has fond memories of prior victories against Indian bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra.

Maharoof advised Sri Lanka to fight harder and stay consistent, especially in the absence of mainstay Angelo Mathews.