Ahmedabad: Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan on Wednesday urged his team to change their approach and said the batsmen must look to attack more in the first 10 overs when they clash with India in the second match of the five-game One Day International (ODI) series here on Thursday.

Sri Lanka lost the opening one-dayer at Cuttack by 169 runs after India posted an imposing 363 for five.

“I think in any match you have to start well and especially when you are chasing 350-plus. We didn’t do that and they [India] bowled really well. The two new-ball bowlers were really good. But I think we have to change our approach,” Dilshan said.

“We need to attack a bit in the first 10 overs and put the Indian bowlers under pressure. We didn’t take the risk [at Cuttack].”

Dilshan, the oldest member of the team at 38, said that his team should put the disappointment of the first match behind them.

“I think we have in the past not done well at the start but have bounced back in the series. We have to forget what happened in the last match and play our brand of cricket. That’s the main target for the team. And as a team we are just focusing on that,” Dilshan, who has figured in 289 ODIs for his country, said.

He said 300 runs in 50-over ties is not unusual these days.

“I think you have to expect the teams to score 290-300 with the new rules in place. Just four fielders outside the circle after the first 10 overs is not easy to contain the batsmen, especially in India. The wickets are flat and the Indian batting line-up is good. As a batting unit we have to go and get those runs. And, if we are batting first, we have to set up 300-plus target. That’s become the norm now,” Dilshan said.

The opening batsman refused to put too much emphasis on India’s poor record in ODIs here, with six wins out of 14, saying his teammates must quickly adapt to the conditions.

“We have come back here after a long time. That [victory for Lanka] was back in 2005. Every venue is different and we have to adjust quickly to the wicket. Get ready for the conditions as soon as possible and that’s the main goal,” Dilshan insisted.