Sanath Jayasuriya has claimed that confidence, trust and a bit of luck has been the key reasons behind his sucess as coach of the Sri Lanka team after the former captain was given the full-time role on October 7, Monday. Jayasuriya took over as the interim coach of the side after the T20 World Cup, which saw Sri Lanka exit in the group stages. The former captain was able to see an overturn in fortunes, with the team scoring an ODI series win against India and Test wins against England and New Zealand.
This prompted the Sri Lankan cricket board to give Jayasuriya the full-time role until March 2026. Speaking to the media after the announcement, the former captain said that he created confidence and trust around the team. Jayasuriya also believes that luck also played a part in the success.
“What I have always said is that it’s all about confidence and trust. I created that around the team and that’s very important,” Jayasuriya said, as quoted by Cricinfo, on Monday, as he faced the media following the announcement of his full-time appointment. “And I think there was a little bit of luck also. You may do a lot of work, but you need that luck sometimes.”
Jayasuriya also said that being a local coach, it is easy for him to communicate with the players, and they can speak freely with him. The 55-year-old also said that he has no favourites and he would play the team that is best for Sri Lanka cricket.
“It’s easy for me to communicate first and foremost,” he said. “Any issues they have they can speak with me freely, and it’s easy to sort out. They have the confidence to do that. They also know what sort of cricket I played, so they know the value I bring.”
“But I have a responsibility as a local coach, I don’t have favourites. I will always play the team that is best for Sri Lanka cricket. I know that after me, it’s unlikely that a local coach will get this role. So there’s a responsibility I have on that end as well,” said Jayasuriya.
Jayasuriya’s first assignment as full-time Sri Lanka coach will be the white-ball series against West Indies.
