Our bowlers need to execute a game plan against Kohli, says Jayawardene

Hambantota: Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene on Monday conceded that Virat Kohli has become a thorn in his side`s flesh and said that they have to devise a game plan to stop the Indian vice-captain for amassing runs.

"Initially we picked up his wicket early. But like any good player he has come up with a game plan and he is executing that pretty well. He has got more confident against our bowling attack," Jayawardene told reporters at the match-eve press conference. "The challenge is now for our bowlers to execute a game plan against him," he said. Jayawardene said that home side have the wherewithal to hit back at the Indians and win the second ODI here tomorrow. "We have learnt our lessons from a few mistakes we did in the first match," he said. Jayawardene said the final combination for tomorrow`s crucial game was yet to be decided. Fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekera has been forced out through injury and he has been replaced by paceman Nuwan Pradeep in the home side squad. Pradeep, who has played three Tests but is yet to play in a One-day international, will join the team today after returning from Zimbabwe, where he was travelling with Sri Lankan `A` team for a tri-series. PTI