Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan told ‘The Island’ yesterday that more than the World Record for the most number of wickets in ODI cricket, the form of his team bothered him and insisted that his focus will be solely on today’s must win third One-Day International against India at R. Premadasa Stadium under lights.

Muralitharan started the series requiring three wickets to overtake Wasim Akram as the highest wicket taker in the world in ODIs. The 36-year-old picked up one wicket in the first ODI in Dambulla and failed to pick up a wicket in the second ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, although he bowled exceptionally well conceding only 32 runs in his ten overs including a maiden during the death overs.

"Honestly I am not thinking of taking those two wickets much. The important thing is to win this game. We can not afford to lose this one. As for the record I am going to keep playing one-day cricket and it will come some day," the senior Sri Lankan cricketer told ‘The Island’ in an exclusive interview.

Muralitharan also said that the Sri Lankans should not put any undue pressure on themselves leading up to crucial ODI and was confident the team will bounce back. "The main thing is that we need to think that this is just another game. You shouldn’t be putting any undue pressure on yourself. It’s important to remain positive and play your natural game. We have a lot of experience and I am confident we will come good."

He outlined the team’s poor batting as the main reason for the poor performance in ODI cricket, especially at home. Until Sanath Jayasuriya scored a hundred in the first ODI, no Sri Lankan batsman had scored a hundred at home for almost three and half years. "We are not playing well. Our batting has been a huge concern for us. But having said that these guys are quality players and they have proved themselves over the years. We had a few players retiring and those slots have been filled by some new ones and as a result we have shifted some places. So these things can happen," Muralitharan who has been representing the country for the past 16 years said.

Batting has been the main reason for the team’s poor run and Sri Lanka suffered a first ever home series defeat to England in 2007 and the next year were beaten by India for the first time on Sri Lankan soil in a five match series. Last month, the team was also beaten by Bangladesh in a tri-nation tournament match and was badly placed in the final against the same opposition before Muralitharan bailed the side out with his clean hitting down the order.

"Although we lost successive home series, we didn’t lose badly. The score line says we lost 3-2, both against England and India. I am sure we will be alright. We will improve and get back to our winning ways. Don’t forget that India is one of the best sides in the World right now and it’s a challenge beating them."

Sanath Jayasuriya and Muralitharan are the two senior most players in the side at the age of 39 and 36 respectively. The off-spinner paid tribute to his former captain by saying his knocks were extremely crucial for the team. During the first ODI in Dambulla, Jayasuriya became the oldest player to score an ODI hundred at the age of 39 years and 212 days surpassing Geoffrey Boycott. "He’s one of the greatest players the game has seen. The things that he has achieved for Sri Lankan cricket is amazing. We do well when Sanath scores and it’s important for us that he gets a big one tomorrow," Muralitharan said.