Sanath Jayasuriya Says Chasing Big Totals Is Good for Cricket as Sri Lanka Script History

Sri Lankan cricket great Sanath Jayasuriya has made a big statement on the changing nature of modern cricket. He said that chasing big targets on flat pitches is good for the game. His remarks came at a time when Sri Lanka, in the ongoing triangular ODI series in Pakistan, created history by successfully chasing a mammoth target of 429 against England. In the match played at Rawalpindi on October 22, Sri Lanka's achievement is the second-highest successful chase in the history of ODI cricket. The record for the highest successful chase in ODI cricket belongs to South Africa, which chased down 438 against Australia in 2026. Sri Lanka chasing 429 is very close to that record and shows how batting is increasingly dominating modern one-day cricket. In this context, Jayasuriya said that such big chases add excitement to the game and provide entertainment to the viewers. This historic win has strengthened Sri Lanka's position in the triangular series. Sri Lanka has won two of its four matches in the series. Riding on this brilliant chase against England, the Sri Lankan team will play the final against Pakistan on Saturday. The Rawalpindi pitch is traditionally considered favourable for batsmen, and batting dominated this match as well. This match once again proves that on flat pitches, a flood of runs has become commonplace and it is becoming increasingly difficult for bowlers to cope. Sanath Jayasuriya, known in his playing career for his aggressive batting, said on this occasion that many changes have come into cricket and the new rules are good for the game. He believes that changes in rules make the game more competitive and exciting. Jayasuriya said that chasing big targets is a good way to test the players' confidence and skills and it makes teams mentally stronger. Jayasuriya also lavished praise on India's white-ball cricket. He said that the Indian team is currently in a very strong position in the limited-overs formats (ODI and T20). India has a remarkable balance in both batting and bowling, and the team's depth makes it a dangerous opponent. Jayasuriya also said that India has consistently given opportunities to young players in recent years, as a result of which the team has a wealth of talented players. Meanwhile, in the T20 series against New Zealand, India's young batsman Abhishek Sharma has drawn everyone's attention with his explosive performance. In the third T20I played at Wellington, Abhishek Sharma played a sensational innings of 113 runs off just 38 balls. In this innings, he completed his century off just 35 balls, which is among the fastest centuries in T20 cricket. Thanks to Abhishek's innings, India defeated New Zealand by 6 wickets. Abhishek Sharma's innings is a fine example of the changing nature of T20 cricket, where batsmen focus on scoring more runs in fewer balls. Scoring a century off 35 balls is an extraordinary feat and shows that young batsmen are full of aggression and courage. Playing such an innings on foreign soil at Wellington reflects Abhishek Sharma's confidence and ability. However, since this is still early in his career, he will need to prove it consistently over a longer period. The Indian team's performance as a white-ball side has been consistently excellent for some time. The team has won many big matches on the strength of batting depth and bowling variety. The emergence of young players like Abhishek Sharma is a good sign for the future of Indian cricket. Jayasuriya also acknowledged that India's limited-overs team currently occupies the top position in world cricket. In the context of the triangular series, Sri Lanka has won two of its four matches and succeeded in reaching the final. In the final match against Pakistan on Saturday, Sri Lanka will have its eyes on the trophy. The win from chasing 429 against England has greatly boosted the confidence of the Sri Lankan team. This match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium once again proved that big targets can be achieved in one-day cricket, provided there is consistency and aggression in batting. The Sri Lankan team has been going through a phase of ups and downs over the past few years. The team has given opportunities to many young players and is gradually emerging as a strong unit. Chasing 429 against a strong team like England reflects the team's ability and mental resilience. This win is a major achievement for Sri Lankan cricket and will help boost the team's confidence in the times to come. On the other hand, the Indian team will tour New Zealand in December, where it has to play an ODI and Test series. This tour will be important for the Indian team, as performing in Test cricket on foreign soil has always been a challenge. New Zealand pitches are considered helpful for fast bowlers, and Indian batsmen will have to adapt there. In the ODI series too, the Indian team will want to maintain its strong position. In addition, Sri Lanka will tour India in December, where it has to play a white-ball series. The challenge will be tough for Sri Lanka on Indian soil, but the Sri Lankan team, encouraged by its recent performances, will hope to do well in India as well. Matches between India and Sri Lanka have always been exciting, and this series too will offer interesting cricket to the viewers. Sanath Jayasuriya also shared his views on the changing rules of cricket. He said that many changes have taken place in cricket, and the new rules make the game more exciting. He believes that changes in rules make the game dynamic and keep the viewers engaged. Jayasuriya said that players should adapt themselves to the changing rules, and that is the key to success. Jayasuriya also says that fitness and mental strength are of much greater importance in modern cricket. Compared to earlier times, players today have to play more matches, which leads to physical and mental fatigue. He said that workload management is very important in today's era, and team management should pay attention to it. Jayasuriya also spoke about the trend of big scores being made on flat pitches. He said that nowadays pitches are prepared to suit batsmen, which leads to big scores and exciting contests. However, he also acknowledged that it is challenging for the bowlers and that balance needs to be maintained. He believes that a balance should be maintained between batting and bowling so that the real excitement of the game remains. Talking about Sri Lanka's chase of 429 against England, this match was played on the flat pitch of Rawalpindi, where both teams posted huge scores. England, batting first, put up a big score, but the Sri Lankan batsmen maintained their composure even under pressure and achieved the target. This shows that on flat pitches, if there is consistency in batting, even the biggest targets can be achieved. Sri Lanka's performance in the triangular series is a sign that the team has changed its strategy. The team has focused on aggressive batting, and the result is coming in the form of victories. In the final against Pakistan, Sri Lanka will want to maintain this same aggression. Pakistan is also a strong team, and the final is expected to be exciting. In the context of the Indian team, it is moving forward with a blend of young and experienced players. Young players like Abhishek Sharma are giving new energy to the team, while experienced players are providing stability. This combination is preparing the Indian team for the big tournaments ahead. For the Indian team, the Test series on the New Zealand tour will be a major test. Conditions in New Zealand are always challenging for the Indian team, but in recent years Indian fast bowlers have performed well on foreign soil. This tour will be an opportunity for the Indian team to prove its ability. Overall, many important developments are taking place in the cricket world at this time. On one hand, Sri Lanka has created history by chasing a record target against England, while on the other, India's young batsman Abhishek Sharma has impressed everyone with his stormy innings in T20 cricket. The statement of a legend like Sanath Jayasuriya also underlines the fact that batting dominance is increasing in modern cricket. Jayasuriya said that it is necessary to embrace the changing nature of cricket and that players should be ready for new challenges. He advised young players to work hard and hone their skills. Jayasuriya believes that cricket will become even more exciting in the future and that viewers will get excellent entertainment. This historic win of Sri Lanka has once again proved that nothing is impossible in cricket. Chasing 429, and that too against a team like England, is a moment of pride for Sri Lankan cricket. The team has proved that with the right strategy and strong willpower, even the biggest targets can be achieved. Now all eyes are on the final of the triangular series on Saturday, where Sri Lanka will face Pakistan. Both teams will give their all to win the trophy. Meanwhile, the Indian team is busy preparing for the New Zealand tour, where it has to play an ODI and Test series. The time ahead is going to be very exciting for cricket fans.