It’s a very good preparation for the World Cup, says Dasun Shanaka | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said on Monday that the three-match ODI series against India is good preparation for the 2023 ODI World Cup as the mega-event is happening in similar conditions in India later in the year.
“It’s an important tournament for all Sri Lankans because the World Cup is going to be held here in India, so I’m looking forward to this series. It’s a very good preparation, the conditions would be similar. The boys are ready for that, they know the importance of this tournament,” Shanaka said on the eve of the first ODI in Guwahati.
Sri Lanka lost the T20I series 1-2 before the upcoming ODI series, but they want to take advantage of the positives from the just concluded series. Shanaka also acknowledged that it is very tough to beat India in India.

“None of the teams in the recent past except for South Africa have won in India. Even we gave a good fight in Mumbai. But they came stronger, we need to play competitive cricket,” Shanaka said.
The Lankan skipper was their top run-getter in the just concluded T20 series, with 124 runs at a strike rate of 187.87.
“Before coming here, I really wanted to do well, practised more, it’s very important to play well in India,” Shanaka said about his form.
Shanaka feels that the first ODI will be a high-scoring affair.
“We have seen the deck and it appears to be a high scoring game,” Shanaka said.
Still reeling from Suryakumar’s assault, Shanaka was asked how he plans to stop the in-form Indian batter.
“This is a familiar question for all the captains. Suryakumar is a 360-player with the form he’s in. It’s about bowling in the right areas and executing your plans well,” the Lankan captain concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)