Jayasuriya Backs Chasing Big Totals: 'Good for Cricket' as Sri Lanka Script History in Rawalpindi

Former Sri Lanka captain and explosive opening batter Sanath Jayasuriya has said that chasing big totals is good for modern cricket. In an interview, Jayasuriya said that chasing large scores on flat pitches makes contests thrilling and gives spectators plenty of entertainment. His remark comes at a time when Sri Lanka created history by successfully chasing a mammoth 429 against England in a tri-series match in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It is the second-highest successful chase in ODI history. In the match played on 22 October in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka reached the target in reply to England's 429. The chase is significant because it proved that chasing big scores on flat pitches is not impossible. Jayasuriya said that it is generally believed the team setting a big total holds the advantage, but batters' mindsets have now changed and teams are achieving big targets with confidence. Jayasuriya said cricket has undergone many changes and new rules are proving beneficial for the game. He said today's batters have become more aggressive and teams are not afraid of chasing big scores. The former captain said that flat pitches are challenging for bowlers, but spectators enjoy matches where runs flow and the contest goes down to the last ball. He believes that if teams are successfully chasing big targets, it is a trend that takes the game forward. Jayasuriya said that the aggressive approach his team adopted during the 2026 World Cup is being embraced even better by the current generation. He said improvements in technique and fitness have made batters even more dangerous. It is notable that Sri Lanka have won two of their four matches in this tri-series so far and will play Pakistan in the final on Saturday. Besides Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka are part of the series, and the Rawalpindi pitch has been quite favourable for batters. Sri Lanka have impressed with their performances in the series, and the chase of 429 in Rawalpindi has lifted the team's confidence to new heights. Jayasuriya said his team has shown it can perform well even under pressure. Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan in the final on Saturday. The match will be important for both teams, as winning the tri-series trophy is a matter of pride. Jayasuriya said there will be pressure in the final, but senior players must step up and take responsibility. He said fast bowlers must be accurate with the new ball and spinners must maintain a tight line and length in the middle overs. Meanwhile, India's young batter Abhishek Sharma produced a blistering knock in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington. He scored 113 off just 38 balls and completed his century off only 35 balls. Powered by his innings, India won the match by six wickets. Abhishek's knock is a prime example of the power of modern T20 cricket and shows how quickly batters can change the course of a match today. Abhishek's innings proved that India have no shortage of young talent. He adopted an aggressive approach from the start and gave New Zealand's bowlers no chance. The knock reflects the depth of Indian cricket and could prove to be a major strength for the team in the times to come. Jayasuriya lavished praise on India's white-ball team. He said the Indian side has depth and its young players have the confidence to play fearless cricket. He said players like Abhishek Sharma make Indian cricket's future bright. Jayasuriya said India's batting order is flexible, which is why they succeed in chasing big targets. He said India are currently one of the strongest white-ball teams in world cricket. Looking ahead, Sri Lanka will tour India in December for a white-ball series. In addition, India will tour New Zealand for ODI and Test series. These tours will be important for both teams and will also reveal players' form. Jayasuriya said cricket fans will get to see great contests in the coming months. India's tour of New Zealand is important because the Test series will be a real test of the Indian team. India are considered favourites in the ODI series, but taking the hosts lightly in the Tests could prove costly. Jayasuriya said Test cricket tests technique and patience, while aggression and speed are decisive in limited-overs cricket. He believes young players should gain experience in all three formats. As for the bowlers, Jayasuriya admitted that bowlers have a tough job on flat pitches, but said good bowlers perform their role in any conditions. He said teams must maintain balance, and if pitches are favouring batters, bowlers will have to find different options. He said the real joy of the game comes when there is a proper contest between bat and ball. Jayasuriya said that succeeding in a big chase multiplies a team's confidence, and that confidence proves useful in major tournaments. He advised the Sri Lanka team to continue playing aggressive cricket and to go into Saturday's final against Pakistan with full confidence. Sanath Jayasuriya's statement has become a talking point in the cricket world. Many experts believe flat pitches and big scores are good for cricket, while some feel this is reducing the importance of bowlers. But Jayasuriya's clear view is that the game must embrace change and that chasing big totals is part of cricket's evolution.