Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Sri Lanka focus on 'real-time' adjustments against India: Gary Kirsten
Sri Lanka's cricket team is about to play India in a two-match Test series that starts on Saturday in Galle.
Sri Lanka's coach, Gary Kirsten, used to work with India's captain, Shubman Gill, so he knows a bit about him.
Kirsten says watching old videos of players is not a secret advantage anymore, because everyone can watch them.
What really matters, he says, is thinking fast and changing plans during the game.
Sri Lanka has a great left-arm spinner named Prabath Jayasuriya who has taken many wickets at home.
India sometimes struggles against spin bowling, but Kirsten says Sri Lanka needs all its skills, not just spin.
He says one bad session could even lose the whole series, so players must stay focused all the time.
The matches will be shown on TV starting at 10am IST on Saturday.
Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten says the team's focus is on 'real-time' strategy adjustments ahead of the two-Test series against India in Galle.
Kirsten's knowledge of India captain Shubman Gill from their time at Gujarat Titans gives Sri Lanka an edge in strategy-making.
Kirsten said there is no competitive advantage in studying information because footage of every player is available to all teams, so plans must be built in real time.
Kirsten backed left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who has 125 wickets from 23 Tests, as a world-class bowler but said the bowling strategy will not revolve around one player.
Kirsten warned that one session can win or lose the match and the short series, so Sri Lanka must stay concentrated throughout.
- Who
- Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten and the visiting Indian cricket team led by captain Shubman Gill
- What
- Kirsten emphasised building strategy in 'real time' for the two-Test series, warning that a single session could decide the rubber and backing players like spinner Prabath Jayasuriya
- When
- The two-Test series begins on Saturday, with play starting at 10am IST
- Where
- Galle, Sri Lanka
- Why
- Kirsten believes studying information is no longer an advantage since footage of every player is widely accessible, making in-match adaptation and skill execution the keys to winning
- Event
- India tour of Sri Lanka - two-Test series
- Venue
- Galle, Sri Lanka
- Start
- Saturday, 10am IST
- Broadcast
- Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and SonyLIV
- Sri Lanka head coach
- Gary Kirsten (former India coach, former Gujarat Titans mentor)
- India captain
- Shubman Gill
- Prabath Jayasuriya
- 125 wickets from 23 Tests, left-arm spinner