'Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are..'- Sri Lanka's interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya alerts team India

The Former Sri Lankan batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya has been named the interim coach of the national side. The veteran batter has given a warning to Team India ahead of the three-match T20I series. Invoking the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli the Sri Lankan great said his side will want to use the opportunity. 

Charith Asalanka has been named captain of the side in the three-game series. Sanath Jayasuriya became the coach after the resignation of Chris Silverwood post the T20 World Cup. 

Also Read: Star player ruled out of India vs Sri Lanka series due to injury

Sri Lanka had exited the tournament in the first round after back-to-back losses to South Africa and Bangladesh. Their only win of the campaign came against the Netherlands after the game against Nepal was washed out due to rain. 

Sanath Jayasuriya heaps praise on Indian legends

Former Sri Lanka batter Sanath Jayasuriya while speaking to the media said “Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the best players in the world. Looking at their talent and the kind of cricket they have played we all know where they belong, along with Jadeja.”

India’s three stalwarts have been the backbone for the men in blue for the last 15 years. Sanath Jayasuriya also said, “Their absence will be a loss to the Indian team and we have to take maximum advantage out of that.”

Ashish Nehra while speaking to Sports Tak said, “The good thing is, even though there is a chance that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli don't play in the major 50-over tournaments coming up they are still there for this series in Sri Lanka.”

The Gujarat Titans coach also said, “Gautam Gambhir has come as a new coach and the earlier they gel with him inside that dressing room environment the better, regardless of whether they knew each other for many years before that or not. So I like that they are playing the ODIs.”

"Many times it happens that after a major tournament like the World Cup, you would want to give youngsters more chances. India already have a good pool of players for white-ball cricket and so the more time these youngsters spend time with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli the better it is for them,” said Asish Nehra.