Do not rule us out, says Ranatunga

MUMBAI, MARCH 24: Two losses in as many matches in the Pepsi triangular cricket series has heightened the Sri Lanka team's woes. Indeed, ...

MUMBAI, MARCH 24: Two losses in as many matches in the Pepsi triangular cricket series has heightened the Sri Lanka team8217;s woes. Indeed, Lanka8217;s fall since their epic victory in the 1996 World Cup has been as dramatic as their spectacular rise.

8220;We have to start winning again,8221; skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said during the Lankan team8217;s practice session at the Brabourne Stadium today. The team is on a brief stopover in the city before leaving for Pune on Wednesday night for their March 30 encounter against India.

8220;Our morale is OK,8221; added the veteran cricketer. 8220;Our ground fielding is getting better though I cannot say the same about catching. We are working on them.8221;

The Lankans, once considered among the best fielding sides in the world, paid heavily for the spilled chances in Nagpur where India went on to win after piling 287 for four.

Manager Ranjit Fernando was more forthright. 8220;I would be lying if I say the mood is upbeat. But we are thinking positive and looking forward to our next matchwhich is very crucial.8221; The Lankans must beat India in Pune if they want to keep their hopes alive in the triangular championship.

Fernando attributed the rebuilding process as one of the reasons of his team8217;s setbacks. 8220;We have brought in as many as five to six youngsters with the World Cup in mind. Some have played upto expectations while some have not. Anyway we cannot expect them to play as well as experienced players.8221;

But it8217;s not just the performance levels which is a cause for worry. 8220;Injuries have forced us to play a side not the full strength,8221; noted Fernando. 8220;A packed schedule hasn8217;t helped, but I definitely do not envy the job of the guys who plan the calendar.8221;

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Injuries have forced Sanath Jayasuriya and Mutthiah Muralitharan out of competitive cricket for some time, while Marvan Atapattu damaged the soft tissue of the middle finger of his right hand against Pakistan in Jamshedpur. Atapattu, who according to Fernando is 70 per cent fit, could be seen going through the batting drills.Fernando hoped Lanka could play him at Pune. Aravinda de Silva, down with flu, however was missing from the nets.

Talking about the recently-concluded Asian Test Championships which Pakistan won, Fernando said it was a good tournament though a bit ill-timed with the World Cup just around the corner. Lanka rested some of their top players for the championship. Most of them returned for the tri-series.

8220;Though conditions are not the same as in England, a One-Day tournament ahead of the World Cup is a good idea. It will help in picking up the final 15,8221; said Ranatunga.

8220;We have not been playing well recently but don8217;t rule us out,8221; he added. 8220;We are saving our best for last.8221;