Chandika Hathurusinghe and Kusal Mendis pre-match press conference, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023

Bangladesh Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and Sri Lanka Captain Kusal Mendis pre-match press conference, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.  

Bangladesh Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe  

Sri Lanka Captain Kusal Mendis 

Bangladesh Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe pre-match press conference transcript

[Reporter:] Nic [Pothas] was coach of the Sri Lankan team back in 2017 when they had travelled to India here in Delhi for a Test series. So has he shared any of those experiences with you regarding the air quality and what all happened then. Are those experiences pretty similar to what's happening right now?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] Yes, he spoke about the situation back then. Yeah, we were a little bit concerned. That's why we cancelled one practice session as well. So, we are trying to minimize our exposure to the outdoor much as possible because we need to practice as well as well as that we have to be careful long-term effect of this condition.

[Reporter:] Well, air quality could well be a problem for both the teams. So that apart, how do you look forward to the game against the Lankans? Your record has not exactly been great against Sri Lanka.

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] Yeah, air quality is, as you said, rightly it's affecting both teams. And it's not ideal, but we have no choice. We have to play in the condition in front of us. But pitch and the ground look immaculate. I think one of the best pitches that we're probably going to play this World Cup. As you said, Sri Lanka has and Bangladesh have played really good matches recent past. The thing is, both teams in a really similar situation, to be honest, are trying to finish high as possible because we have lost opportunity to get into the semi-final now.

But still the Champions Trophy [qualification] is up for grabs we need to finish high as possible. So, this game has a big impact on that who finish higher.

[Reporter:] Bangladesh team director Khaled said that the Bangladesh team suffered for decision making problem, decision making issue. So, what do you take on that?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] I saw that his interview but that is I think it's, he hasn't discussed with anybody so I saw it first on the media so I have no comment further because I never heard that before.

[Reporter:] The way Bangladesh played in this tournament, I mean there were losses and wins in cricket, but they didn't show any fight whatsoever after the first match. So how much responsibility do you take as a coach for that? And do you see yourself as the coach of Bangladesh team beyond this world cup?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] Yeah, I take responsibly as well as anyone in the group because we have disappointed the fans and we disappointed ourselves as well. We didn't play our best cricket but the thing is nothing has changed from the first game to now. Only [what] has changed is what's going through between our ears. Our skills hasn't gone anywhere. So, I think we put ourselves down by having high expectations. That's the only thing that we can think of, because as you rightly said, we haven't played our best cricket or what we were capable of or we played before coming into the World Cup. So, in that sense, it's we all need to look at mirrors and see what went wrong and me staying the coach. It's not up to me. It's just have to do decided by the board

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] You talked about the long-term effects that players could face playing in these conditions. So, keeping that in mind, when you pick an 11 tomorrow, do you go with more pacers? Or do you only go by the pitch conditions or take the weather also? Because the pacers will have to be at the brunt of it mostly and the second part is when you're playing a World Cup like this that has been spread over 45 days - only four teams will be qualifying for semifinals.

What do you have to say about that format because two weeks before you almost have four semifinals ready. So, it gives a little very few chances for the other teams to make up and make the grade.

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] I think this is the best format I have been involved. 2019 and 1992 - this was the format. I think that if you win, you feel like you actually played everybody, if I'm not mistaken. The team selection not depend on the air quality. It's depending on the condition and the opposition and our strength.

[Reporter:] In the Bangladesh squad there are five fast bowlers. Tanzim Sakib didn't get a chance yet. In the other hand, Nazmul Shanto, Tamim, even Litton Kumar Das, not in good form. Tawheed out of form, Nazmul Shanto got out six on a row in a single digit. What do you think instead of Tanzim Sakib in the squad, if one more batter is there it will be great for you for selection?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] I don’t think – one more batter would have made things complicated. When we selected this team before, before the World Cup, they had been performing. Their skill hasn’t gone anywhere, whatever is going through our heads is the only thing that is disturbing us. We haven’t played to our potential, we haven’t shown what we are capable of, for some reason we have gone into a shell, especially batting as you rightly said. That is what we need to fix and come and play fearless cricket.

[Reporter:] As you mentioned that we didn't perform to our ability. The way batting order has been shuffled so far, almost every game. Do you feel this is the thing actually unstable or destabilize the batsmen to perform?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] It's not about the batting order, isn't it? Where you come to bat, what over what time of the innings you're coming into bat is more important than the number you bat. We haven't given any start.

Our top three, top four hasn't given us apart from one game. So, I don't think it's a batting order has any indication for this outcome.

[Reporter:] Air quality issue has been already been discussed - my simple question is given the pollution level and the AQI at this moment, do you think Delhi is simply fit for international cricket particularly in early November? And secondly, Champions Trophy slot for Bangladesh, is it realistically still achievable? What do you think?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] I think it's achievable because we are still a good team. We know that we are better what we have shown. So, our best game we haven't played so far, even near to our best. So, we still think that we Champions Trophy is achievable. And the first question is not up to me. I'm not a qualified person to tell about their quality and whether it's fit or not to play.

[Reporter:] Players like Hridoy, Shariful, Shanto, they were in great form just before the World Cup. On the biggest stage they all lost their form. Do you think the pressure of the bigger stage has affected their performance.

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] I'm speculating if I say yes or no, I don't know, to be honest. The only thing you can think of is, it's high expectation from everyone, because as players, we all wanted to perform in the biggest stage. That's, as you said, it's that kind of expectation. It can be pressure, can be that you're put in a little bit, yeah, trying to do too much. We learn from it. That's the only thing I mean, that's what we need to see, sit back, and look back and think what went wrong. It's individually because it's not one or two players - it's affected many players for us it can be any of them so I'm to be honest. I don't know at the moment.

[Reporter:] You just said that you take the blame, responsibility for the failure. Do you think that you got enough time to prepare this team for the World Cup?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] You know, I started seven months ago, so I had seven months. And then there are certain things beyond my control happen in between as well - all these things is I don't think is right forum or time for me to think or discuss. At the moment my focus is this game, how we can win the next game. We are doing everything right. The players are training and the mood is good. They are all trying hard. They are all hurting and they all want to do well.

My biggest challenge at the moment, keep that environment stress-free as possible from every angle for them to perform to their best ability.

[Reporter:] I think you already said a few things about the reasons. Just I want to know that as the semi-final dream is over long back and these two games these two games is just for face saving or getting the place for Champions Trophy and you got a bit few days’ time after match with Pakistan. You've got five days’ time in between, so I just want to know is there any particular reason you said that batting order haven't played a part, you said high expectation might play the role. I just want to know is any particular reason we found in between that which caused this difficulty?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] No, there's no particular reason to be honest. If I say anything here, it's a speculation. I think it's that we all try hard. Like we need one, like the good example, like what Pakistan did, as you rightly asked, last game and one player stand up and take the game on. We have capabilities in our group to do something like that. I think something like that, inspiration in one spell or one inning will change a lot of things for us.

[Reporter:] A word on Dilshan Madhushanka. He was a tournament's highest wicket-taker until yesterday. What kind of challenges does he pose for your team? Are you surprised by the fact that the impact that he has had at such a young age.

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] Yeah, it's nice to see someone like new, young, come and do well in the stage like this World Cup. I was not surprised because he was a quality bowler. He swings the ball early, decent pace he has. So, the one thing is if at all he surprises maturity showing bowling in the after the new ball and the change of pace and things like that, how you use cleverly. So, we have discussed about him and we take note of his performance.

[Reporter:] Players like Shanto, Litton, even Sakib, they almost got out similarly in every innings. What went wrong, actually, for them?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] You said that they got out similarly. That's what went wrong. Not that the lack of trying or anything. There are similar ways of getting out. Like unfortunately for Shanto especially, getting out, if you have played this game, you know like any batsman, good batsman can get out first five balls, ten balls and he got out I think twice first ball. So, it's really unfortunate some of the balls that he got out or down the leg side and then half volley, any other day you all have seen that he will hit those four boundaries.

Things have not gone right in certain way for us. As I said before one of them or two of them have to stand up and take the game on and change our fortune in next two games.

[Reporter:] Given the poor air quality in the capital here, what's the status of the team? Anyone suffering from any health affects?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] Our doctor has kept a close eye on players. Some of the players didn’t turn up for practice as they are asthmatic so they stayed in indoors. And even for practice, we're very conscious. We train what we have to train, and they go back into the dressing room. They don't spend time unless they're bowling or batting.

So, we have taken some measures to minimize our exposure before the game.

[Reporter:] You have already mentioned about Shanto getting out under 10 in six innings is a huge disappointment. What is wrong with him? Have you had a chat with him yet?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] Yeah, we constantly had a chat with him. We find nothing, it's nothing technical it's just unfortunate way as I said like any batsman getting out early like first 10 within first five balls or whatever it can happen to any player especially the top order because ball is moving and you're getting used to the condition. I don't think it's anything to do with any technique or anything, but unfortunately, it's cricket. That's the beauty of the game.

[Reporter:] Before the tournament you and your team said your target is to play semifinal. Now at this stage do you think it was a wrong comment from you and your team?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] No, it's not a wrong comment because we all want to do well. We have a high hope and we have the expectation to do well and we thought that we are capable of doing but then we couldn't achieve so it's not a wrong comment.

[Reporter:] As a coach you failed to take your team to the semifinals. You took the blame as well You said earlier what as a coach? What do you offer to the team in future like what you have? Spoken with the players as a coach what you can offer to the team for the future?

[Chandika Hathurusingha:] I'm only 7 months in into the job - There's not much I can do within seven months what I have what I did was just take the team from where the team was and make sure that they were prepare for this actually it's my work has to start after this, because it's World Cup is separating to prepare, and then it's taking the team forward. It is a very different challenge.

Sri Lanka Captain Kusal Mendis pre-match press conference (Sinhalese & English) transcript

 [Reporter:] A lot has been spoken about this particular game being held in Delhi so I just want to ask, there was a news that the Sri Lankan team has placed a request of or not willing to play the game at this very venue and they have placed a request to move it out from Delhi. So, is it correct or if you like to speak on this?

[SL Team Manager Mahinda Halangoda:] Let me answer that question. I don't think we made a request like that. We didn't make a request to change, but we were just asking ICC what happens because when we came here, we saw that the Bangladesh team has cancelled and we saw actually the outside environment. So, we just asked them what's the plan. So, they said they will actually have a discussion, and then they'll come back. And I think they have installed some equipment here, and they've got specialists to check, and they are helping him out. So, they have already informed us that they are planning to go ahead. So, we will do exactly what the ICC actually tells us to do.

[Reporter:] Bangladesh is another team that has struggled to find some form in the tournament. So how do you approach the game against Bangladesh and what are your aims, not much to play for, but still the Champions Trophy place is at stake, how do you keep to motivate the team for the remaining few games?

[Kusal Mendis:] [translated by SL team Mahinda Halangoda:] He says that we have played Bangladesh so many times previously and that he is all the confidence in his players and we have had actually instances where we played badly but come out strongly. So, he's quite confident that the players will do very well in tomorrow's game and that we will comment on.

[Reporter:] Virat just scored 49th in ODI ton, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar.  So, you would like to congratulate him?

[Kusal Mendis:] Why I would congratulate him?

[Reporter:] They played a Test match; the pollution was also there. Have you spoken to those players in the team, how they dealt with it? And is there any do's and don'ts given by the medical team for the players while playing a 50-over match, like for the fast bowlers, or how to take care of yourself during a match?

[SL Team Manager Mahinda Halangoda:] I think we are constantly in touch with our medical team panel back in Sri Lanka. Actually, the professor who is in charge is already in India. Actually, he had come for a conference and we are in touch with him, the team doctor. And definitely we will be looking at the index, but obviously we will be guided by the ICC and I think they have a medical panel here so they will be giving us instructions.

Obviously, today when we came, we were wearing masks, and we were told to wear masks. But it depends exactly what the outside index is, and then we'll make a call on it.

[Reporter:] How does the team cope with the high air pollution in Delhi? I mean that our team did not have a practice session yesterday. Do you believe this will pose a major challenge for the upcoming match?

[Kusal Mendis:] We came to practice today, we couldn't come to practice yesterday either. There is a doctor from ICC and the team. Based on what they say, and based on today's training activities, we will decide whether or not to hold the match tomorrow.

[Reporter:] Following the last game, what are the team's preparations for tomorrow's match? How has the team utilized these recent days to get ready for the match, especially after a loss by over 300 runs in the previous game?

[Kusal Mendis:] When we actually talk about the previous match, I feel very sad about it. And that's why it's hard for us to stay thinking about that previous match. we still have two more matches in this tournament. We've identified our shortcomings as a team, and now our focus is on the upcoming matches. We want to forget about that match as soon as possible. But it is not a match that can be easily forgotten. We should always try to prepare ourselves for the next two matches without thinking about that match. Must win both upcoming matches. As the leader of the team, we have talked about what needs to be done for that. We have talked about where we went wrong. We want to play well in the upcoming matches.

[Reporter:] We played the first match of this tournament here. And now we have to play again on this pitch. Do you think it will be easy for us? Because you guys are used to those pitch conditions now. What kind of conditions do you expect? Do you expect similar conditions that day, that is, do you think the conditions will be the same as the South Africa match? Or do you think it will be a different condition? Because this is a slightly used pitch.

[Kusal Mendis:] Today, we've arrived at the stadium, and the nature of the pitch we'll encounter is uncertain. We'll need to make a decision after a thorough assessment. I anticipate that the wicket might not be as favorable as in the previous match, given the number of matches held on it. We're still unsure about the specific pitch conditions we'll be dealing with. I still don't know exactly what pitch to play. Because of that, I don't think there will be a big difference as to what we want to see today, because there are many pitches in one ground. It would be really good if the conditions were the same as before. If it is, I and the rest of our team can get into their average rhythm. If there is a change in the wicket, we have to adjust based on that. So I think because we have played a match here before, we have a little idea about what the wicket is like and what the ground is like, so with that, I think there won't be any big changes and we are looking at how to adapt to it.

[Reporter:] Your team has unfortunately missed the opportunity to reach the semi-finals. How important is it to qualify for the ChammpionsTrophy by winning tomorrow's match? Do you have any idea about the composition of the team, and are there any indications that the team composition might undergo changes?

[Kusal Mendis:] Although we lost the matches, we played well in all the other matches except the match against India. I think that the next two matches will be very important for the team because we can qualify for the Champions Trophy. First of all, we need to look at tomorrow's match, we need to look at how we will play, no matter what the situation is, our team has a plan. As I mentioned earlier, we have a specific goal in mind. Initially, we must observe how the World Cup concludes and under what circumstances. Winning the remaining two matches would bring our total victories to four, and I believe our team is not at a disadvantage. We can't judge our team solely based on the outcome of one match. Securing victories in the upcoming two matches would be beneficial both for the Champions Trophy and our team's confidence.

[Reporter:] Given Sri Lankan team's persistent losses in recent matches, there has been a notable outcry within Sri Lanka, with demands for the resignation of both the selection committee and the coaching staff. What is your idea about the cricket coaches and the selection committee?

[Kusal Mendis:] It is difficult for me to say exactly about it. We cannot say from a match that the cricket selection committees and the coaches should leave. When we won the matches, nothing came of that issue. My role is to manage my team as we participate in the World Cup. Discussing the matters, you mentioned is challenging for me because decisions in those areas are made by different individuals. My primary focus is on giving my best to the team and navigating through this tournament. Responding to your question is indeed a complex matter for me.

[Reporter:]

[Kusal Mendis:] We have played a lot of matches with Bangladesh and within this year. we want to qualify for the Champions Trophy. This is a very important match. In terms of our team, we're not planning any major changes. Because we have played with Bangladesh. We have a lot of confidence in the team. Our team has faced all situations, we have been at low levels and we have been at good levels. We have won the match on those occasions too, since we've played against Bangladesh multiple times, both I and our team don't feel the need for extensive preparation for tomorrow's match.

[Reporter:] We saw that after losing the match to Mumbai, we saw a big conversation going on in the dressing room till 11 p.m. Mahela Jayawardena and the team members were there. What was discussed there and what Mahela Jayawardena specifically said to the team.

[Kusal Mendis] Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, extending beyond just the competition on that particular day. We delved into our future plans, reflecting on the mistakes we made. Unfortunately, it's not possible for me to disclose all the details of our discussion here. In essence, we discussed strategies for handling pressure during a match, particularly during the middle phase, and how to exert pressure on the opposing team. That's what we really talked about there. We have discussed more than that when we have won matches. Not only when we lose matches. Maybe people would have seen it because it was shown on one of the cameras that day. We've had similar discussions before, addressing both our mistakes and our successes. Following those discussions, we gained increased attention, especially after scoring fewer runs on that particular day. We learned valuable lessons from that experience, and our conversations were indeed extensive. It's challenging for me to share all the details here, but they've been instrumental in our growth as a team.

[Reporter:] You assumed the role of captain midway through the tournament, and there has been considerable discussion about the team's negatives. If we shift our focus to the positive aspects, what are the most significant strengths that you observe? In your perspective, what are the standout positive points for the Sri Lankan team so far, such as Dilshan Madhusankha's performance and Sadeera Samarawickrama's form?

[Kusal Mendis:] Dilshan Madhushanka has been performing exceptionally well, particularly in his bowling. His standout performance in the Asia Cup 20-20 is noteworthy, It is really good that a pass bowler comes to India and bowls well like that.  Currently, he holds a high ranking in the World Cup. Similarly, Sadeera Samarawickrama has showcased his talents, although he didn't have much playing time due to his absence from the team for the past three-four years. Even after that, he came to the team, made up his mind, and played well in the first World Cup, as the team wanted. He has an idea of what his role is. I am very happy that he is doing it that way. We are very happy about it as a team. After playing well in the qualifier as a team, they came to play in the World Cup. We played well in our first three or four matches. Even though two matches failed, there is hope as a team in future matches, I mean not in this World Cup but in the future tournament, we will definitely be selected for the semi-final. hold a strong belief that we have the potential to make significant strides in the future, as we've demonstrated our capabilities. It is because we lost one match that our team had to suffer such a setback. Talking about batsmen and bowlers, the novices have played very well. With Dunith Wellalage as part of our team, I have high hopes that we can achieve great success together.

© ICC