Challenge for me now is to earn ODI recall - Chandimal

On Monday, skipper Dinesh Chandimal produced a master class becoming the quickest Sri Lankan to score ten Test hundreds. On Tuesday, he produced his career-best score - an outstanding 164 that was eight minutes short of an eight-hour battle. On Wednesday, he will have to raise his game again in trying to save the Delhi Test against world's number one ranked team.

Chandimal has been Sri Lanka's best batsman this series having scored a hundred and two fifties. Since becoming the captain, his approach has changed totally as he looks to bat for long hours like he did in UAE where Sri Lanka ended Pakistan's unbeaten run in the gulf. In Delhi, he was even better. Sweep and the reverse sweep used to be his bread and butter, but he hardly played the stroke with the side in trouble.

After fourth day's play, the Sri Lankan captain sat down with Cricbuzz for an interview. Here are the excerpts:

Since you became captain early this year, your approach to batting seems to have changed...

Not exactly. The problem is whenever I go out to bat in recent times, we are 30 for 3 or something. That has forced me to put my head down and play the anchor role. I try to play as straight as possible, at least for the first 30 runs. But then if the situation demands, I will make a call and go for it.

Why is that you didn't play the sweep or the reverse sweep, which used to be so predominant in your game like when you made the 162 in Galle against India?

I played one sweep in Delhi actually. It fetched me a single. This is a good wicket. On a good wicket, you have so many other scoring options. On a wicket that is turning, perhaps you can bring out the sweep and stuff. The sweep is a high-risk shot. Then also, remember, I had got out in Nagpur in the first innings playing a reverse sweep. I felt like kicking myself after that. So I was determined to play as straight as possible here.

It's your career-best score as well. How tough is it with the conditions and how satisfying is it?

Never played in conditions like that before. [That is a] huge challenge as well. I was feeling exhausted after day three. But if you love the sport, you have to do the job for your team. I have worked extremely hard on my game. When you lead your country you have to be proud. You are representing 20 million Sri Lankans and our people take a lot of pride in our cricket. That brings the best out of me. It is a good knock, but I am not satisfied. I will produce my best knock soon.

Will it come on Wednesday?

Maybe. Will see.

How important is that Angelo Mathews returned to form?

Very important. Angelo is one hell of a player. He can change games in a couple of sessions. We depend a lot on Angelo and Rangana Herath. They are our main match winners. He is also the senior most batsman in the side. He has played some unbelievable knocks over the years. All youngsters look up to him, how he trains, how he plays and how he goes about things. There's a lot to learn from that knock for young players. How he absorbed pressure and how he makes it look all too easy when he is on song. Even I learn a lot of stuff with the way he bats. He is very good at reading situations. He gives you some smart tips. Very clever bloke and good a student of the game.

How vital is the input of Tilan Samaraweera, the batting coach?

Personally, for me, he has been an immense strength as he also used to bat at number five all his career. He gives the team confidence. He tells us what to do in situations. His practice sessions are extremely useful. For example, when the openers are batting in the nets, he would bring up an off-spinner and a left-arm spinner, then give them two new balls and tells the openers to imagine that Ashwin and Jadeja are bowling with the new ball and play accordingly. He tries to replicate match situations at training. Great asset to us.

Your lower middle order collapsed in the first innings as you lost five wickets for 26 runs...

Even I didn't think that the last few wickets will collapse like that. Not a bad wicket at all to bat this one. We had nicely set things up. Unfortunately, we lost three wickets in a quick succession. Had we got another 100 runs or so through two partnerships it would have been a different story. Then, India's lead would have been down to double digits. They wouldn't have declared after tea on day four. They would have batted on on the final day. Certainly a missed opportunity.

Can you draw this game?

No point in going out there with a defensive mindset. We have to play positive. Read the situation and adapt and go on. We have roles for each batsman and I hope everyone will adapt to situations and take a call. We need to put pressure back on India. If we go defensive, it will be tough. The first hour is crucial. Looking forward to a great contest.

You seem to be mastering the art of batting with the tail...

The main thing is that you have to trust the other guy. We have put in a lot of effort when it comes to batting of the lower order batsmen during training. You have to read the situation. You need to get his views on who is easier for him to bat and who is tough and then you decide what to do and how to go about things. Planning is important. Sometimes, the opposition brings the field closer after four balls. Sometimes, they do it after three balls. You have to be smart.

You were Sri Lanka's best ODI batsman in 2015 and 2016. Is there a sense of disappointment that you are not part of the ODI outfit?

I am not disappointed as such. I think I had got a decent outing in UAE in ODIs, but I failed to make an impact. But I will fight my way back. I love ODI cricket. It is a challenge for me now. I do have a few flaws. I will sort them out. I will back playing ODIs. I will work even harder.