Chasing Big Totals on Flat Pitches Is Good for Cricket, but Bat-Ball Balance Must Be Preserved: Sanath Jayasuriya

Former Sri Lanka batting great and ex-chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya has said that chasing big totals on flat pitches is exciting and positive for cricket, because it keeps matches alive until the final ball and gives spectators a contest that holds their attention throughout. He made the remark against the backdrop of Sri Lanka successfully chasing a massive 429-run target against England in a One-Day International at Rawalpindi — widely regarded as the second-highest successful chase in the history of ODI cricket. Jayasuriya believes that modern cricket has seen many rule changes and that the new regulations are good for the game. He said that when teams succeed in chasing big scores, it shows how far batting depth and mental resilience have come. At the same time, he made clear that conditions for bowlers should not disappear entirely, because the real appeal of the game lies in the balance between bat and ball. Sri Lanka's 429-run chase was extraordinary by any measure. The Rawalpindi pitch is traditionally regarded as batter-friendly, where the ball comes easily onto the bat and the run rate stays high due to short boundaries. On such a surface a 429 target does not seem impossible, but achieving it requires not only aggressive batting but discipline maintained throughout the innings. The Sri Lankan batters proved that if a team has depth and the patience to preserve wickets, even the biggest targets can be reached. The chase is also significant because it came under tournament pressure, with Sri Lanka needing a win to reach the final. Sri Lanka's performance in the tri-series has been mixed. The team won two of its four matches and qualified for the final against Pakistan on Saturday. This shows that the Sri Lankan side, which has gone through ups and downs in recent years, is gradually finding stability. Chasing 429 against England is a big achievement not only technically but psychologically, as it greatly boosts the team's confidence. Jayasuriya also lavished praise on India's white-ball team. He said the Indian white-ball side is currently among the most balanced and aggressive teams in world cricket. India's batting depth, bowling options and fielding standards are all top-class, which means they can change the course of a match in any situation. The discussion of young Indian batter Abhishek Sharma is particularly relevant in this context. In the third T20 International against New Zealand at Wellington, Abhishek played a explosive innings of 113 off 38 balls, reaching his century in just 35 balls. India won the match by six wickets. This innings once again proved that there is no dearth of talent in Indian cricket and that young players can deliver their best even under pressure. However, judging a player on the basis of one innings would be premature; Abhishek's consistency and his performances in overseas conditions will be worth watching in the coming days. Jayasuriya also praised the Indian team's strategy and mindset. According to him, India no longer relies on talent alone but plays with data-driven planning and clearly defined roles. Every batter knows how to play in a given situation, and bowlers have clear responsibilities. This is why India keep succeeding in major tournaments. Speaking about the broader landscape of cricket, Jayasuriya said that batters today have more shot options, bat quality has improved and smaller grounds have made run-scoring easier. But he also warned that if pitches continue to favour batting and bowlers get no assistance, the balance of the game could be disturbed. According to him, a good pitch is one where both batters and bowlers get a chance to showcase their craft. Sri Lanka will now tour India in December, where the two teams will play a white-ball series. The tour will be a big challenge for Sri Lanka, as adapting to Indian conditions is not easy. On the other hand, India also have to tour New Zealand, where an ODI and Test series will be played. The Test series will be especially important for India, because Test performance in overseas conditions is regarded as the true measure of a team's strength. Jayasuriya stressed that the cricket calendar will be extremely busy in the coming period and that managing players' workload will be a major challenge. He said that playing matches continuously increases the risk of injuries, and therefore rotation and workload management need serious attention. Overall, Jayasuriya's message is clear: aggressive, exciting cricket should be welcomed, but it will only be sustainable if the balance between bat and ball is maintained. Sri Lanka's 429-run chase and Abhishek Sharma's explosive innings are both proof that the limits of modern cricket are constantly being expanded — the question is whether that expansion is happening while preserving the fundamental spirit of the game. Editorial note: Some figures mentioned in this report (such as the 429-run chase, Abhishek Sharma's 113 off 38 balls, and the tri-series results) are given on the basis of information received and are pending independent verification. Confirmation from official scorecards is recommended before publication.