DAMBULLA, July 19: Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly on Monday sought to play down the "disappointing loss" to Sri Lanka in their last Asia Cup Group 'B' league match and said his team still had an opportunity to bounce back.
"We still have an opportunity," he said. "The points system is such that we start all over again and hence we will have opportunity to make amends. India, who finished second in their pool, will now face off against Bangladesh on Wednesday before taking on Group 'A' toppers Pakistan on Friday and the hosts on July 29.
Ganguly said the team lost too many wickets in first 15 overs and could not recover from the setback. "I thought we gave lot of runs in last ten overs and lost too many wickets in first 15 overs. We then did well to reach 270, but I thought we lost too many wickets in first 15 overs," he said.
Asked about reasons for promoting wicket-keeper/batsman Parthiv Patel to top of the order, he said: "Patel is a good player of fast bowling. The pressure on number six and seven batsman is very much and so I wanted Yuvraj and Kaif to play in that position."
Sri Lankan vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene expressed satisfaction on overall performance of the team. "We managed to keep wickets and then launch an onslaught in last 10 overs. Fast bowlers also bowled a very good line in opening spell and took early wickets to wrest initiative."
He felt they failed to capitulate on advantage in middle overs of Indian innings and team needs to work on this aspect. Man-of-the-Match Nuwan Zoysa said he knew the wicket was good to bowl in night and decided to stick to his line and length in initial stages.
ZAHEER DOWN AGAIN
COLOMBO: Paceman Zaheer Khan is doubtful for India's match against Bangladesh on Wednesday. The left-armer injured his left hamstring making a sliding stop during India's 12-run defeat to Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday night.
"Zaheer is a concern, especially for the next match," captain Saurav Ganguly said. Fellow left-armer Ashish Nehra is India's only fast bowling back-up in their 14-man squad. Zaheer has been dogged by hamstring trouble since last year's tour of Australia but claimed to be back to full fitness in lead-up to this tournament. -Agencies
