Senanayake: Pune surface was like Australia

Cricket365
February 13, 2016

After beating hosts India in the first T20I in Pune on Tuesday, Sri Lanka spinner Sachithra Senanayake admits that he and his team were surprised by the amount of grass on the pitch.

Indian surfaces are known to be flat and devoid of any assistance for the fast bowlers with more help for the slow bowlers. Sri Lanka's young seamers destroyed India as the home were all out of just 101.

The tourists went on to win by five wickets to take a one-nil lead in the three-match series.

Senanayake said after the game: "Yes, it was like Australia. We always expect a turning wicket, but it was seaming and bouncing wicket."

The off-break bowler said he was surprised by how well the younger fast bowlers did, especially considering their inexperience and the strength of the opposition.

The 22-year-old Kasun Rajitha took three for 29, including two wickets in his first over, on his international debut while 24-year-old Dasun Shanaka took three for 16 in just his second game.

Senanayake: "Actually (I am) a bit surprised (by their display). They are youngsters and they did a really great job in the fast lane. From the first over our bowlers bowled lot of bouncers.

"The wicket was a seaming wicket. They took that opportunity as well. That's great and that's why we won the match.

"I could say our bowlers did a great job, especially the fast bowlers with their line and length. We had a great domestic series and they performed well in that series. They came into this series on the back of that performance."