The Sri Lankan team will visit India in November-December to play three Tests, ODIs and T20s each and Whatmore believes that the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri juggernaut will continue to crush their opponents, as proved in the past few months.
“It is going to be very difficult for Sri Lanka. They couldn’t win at home, how do you think they’re going to win in India? India’s domination will continue. They are a very good team having all-round abilities. They bat well and deep, they’ve got good spinners and seamers, and also a very positive leader,” the Australian told Hindustan Times in a free-wheeling chat.
The current Kerala Ranji Trophy coach, who was once an aspirant for the India coach’s job, also lauded the Kohli-Shastri partnership, saying that it is of utmost importance that the captain and coach get along well.
“It is very important, and everybody will agree, that the captain and coach have a good working relationship. There’s a saying that players make the coach, there’s no question about that. The coach stays in the background and it is about the players and that is exactly what Ravi Shastri is all about,” said Whatmore, who played seven Tests and one ODI for Australia.
Amidst rising criticism, Whatmore also backed MS Dhoni following his slow knock in the second T20 against New Zealand at Rajkot which India lost. “I did not see the (Rajkot) game but I read (Ajit) Agarkar, what he was thinking. I didn’t read what VVS Laxman said. What they’re saying is basically reporting on the game. If Dhoni tried to hit from ball one, he would have got out. This guy has won you matches!” said Whatmore.
“It is a bit premature but if you’re looking at the future to infuse and slowly bring in young players, that makes perfect sense. They were not happy with that particular innings but that’s just one game. This guy has played a lot of good ones. No one likes to lose but it happens.”
Very few understand the Sri Lankan set-up better than Whatmore, who also famously led them to the 1996 World Cup title. But he couldn’t comprehend the logic behind the selectors’ decision to leave out Kusal Mendis, among others, for the India tour.
“I have been a bit removed from all this but I am sure the people who did these things must have some reason for it. Mendis is a good player and has won games for them, he will be missed,” said the 63-year-old, who has also coached Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
“Asela Gunaratne and Kusal Perera were left out because they haven’t played anything, have they? They had the opportunity to, I guess, before the Tests, so that is understandable. It is good that Angelo Mathews is back, he is an asset, but Mendis..... he is a decent player.”