Taking the momentum to the next stage is important: Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara’s fluency at the crease is on par with fluency with words off it. Very much in charge, he wants to carve his own path as captain amidst high national expectations. “We look it at certain times and learn things but at the same time we have to look at the future,” the Sri Lankan captain replied about inspiration from the 1996 World Cup win. “We are proud of that victory. At the same time to do greater honours as well (is our focus).”

The initial outcry against co-hosts Lanka forced to play one league tie away in Mumbai is giving way to realisation about ground reality. Asked about missing crowd support at the Wankhede, he said: “It was nice to play in front of your home crowd, but it is the same situation for New Zealand. Wickets in India seem lot more balanced than in Lanka. Chasing here would not be too much of disadvantage whereas at home conditions do change.”

Winning the sixth group tie is beneficial, but defeat is not end of the world. Sangakkara explains his approach to the day-night game against the Kiwis. “Taking the momentum is really important in the next stage. It is always nice to win, get a lot confidence from that. At the same time the side might not win the final league game would not be worried too much about that because the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final that really count.”

The Lankan opener and captain is of the opinion that teams need to be realistic about advantage to be gained during the Powerplay. “It should not dominate too much of your thought and strategies. I think you sometimes can get bogged up in that, 50 overs is a long time. Ireland scored 60 odd runs in Powerplay, that was only team that has done exceptionally well.”

He adds: “If you look to do too much, that five overs could cost you and turn the game around. You can use it use up overs of key opposition bowlers, you can use it to gather momentum. Scoring a huge amount of runs is not the only strategy. At the same time, teams should not let it dominate our thoughts too much.”

Asked about effect of reverse swing in sub-continent conditions, he replied: “Reverse swing is important in these areas. The pitches are quite abrasive, the balls gets discoloured and if you can maintain the ball in the way that is required to generate reverse swing and have the skilled bowlers to exploit that, then it becomes very handy to the team.”

Sangakkara is aware of Ross Taylor’s form and said his team has plans in place. “We have prepared whatever we can throw at him. Our main target is to get him out as early as we can. We understand how destructive he can be after spending a lot of time on the crease. You never know how players get out in this matter, full toss for example. You can cover all the angles but one has to understand that they (New Zealand) are prepared for these things. They come up with something and we come up with the counter, either before or while play is going on.” The Hindu reports.