India has suffered an ODI series loss on Sri Lanka soil for the first time in 27 years after the Rohit Sharma-led side lost the decider match on 110 runs difference.
Chasing the target of 249 runs, India was outmatched by the hosts as they were bundled out for 138 runs on a pitch that assisted the spinner. India lost the series 2-0 and it was a big setback for the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Following the match, Rohit said that the results would not be a big concern for the series, saying it was not the ‘end of the World’. “They were consistent with sweeps, taking their chances,” Rohit said of Sri Lanka’s batters.
“There weren’t a lot of runs scored down the ground. They didn’t use the feet as much as we expected. It was about using sweeps and piercing that deep square leg and midwicket field. That is something we failed to do as a batting unit. We didn’t play enough sweeps, reverse sweeps, or paddle sweeps, and used our feet too much. That was the difference.
“If you look at Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando today [who put on an 82-run stand], they got a lot of runs square of the wicket. They were using the turn, and sweeping, making the fielder move left and right. They were smart with how they batted and we were not.
“All in all, we need to admit where we have made mistakes, we didn’t dominate against spin. On such wickets, you need to dominate a bit and the Sri Lankan spinners had consistently kept us under pressure in all three games.”
India’s batting performance in the limited overs has tended to be good in recent years. Indian batter is generally no stranger to turning tracks, which Rohit and others have emphasized throughout the series.
“It has more to do with individual plans rather than us telling them what to do or what shot to play. All these guys have come here playing so much cricket. All of a sudden to tell them to do things a little differently – to play the shot that they are not comfortable with – is not ideal.
“That’s where I have said, it’s all about individual plans, how they want to take the bowlers on, what are the shots they want to play. It starts with your training, When you get to your sessions, I can see the guys are working hard in the nets whenever we get the opportunity to train as well. I don’t see there being a lack of effort when we want to try and play different shots.”
Rohit Sharma was the best batter of the series, hitting 157 runs at a strike rate of 141.44 across the three games. He smashed two half-centuries in the first and second ODi but was unable to bring in victory in Sri Lanka.
“I knew that the runs that will be scored during the powerplay will be critical. I knew that the wickets would get a little slow after that, the ball would turn a bit, and even the field is spread out. When there were only two fielders outside the ring, we had to take our chances. I took those chances whenever I felt that I could put the bowler under pressure. All the runs that you score over and above that, it benefit the team to play the remaining 40 overs.
“My personal effort was to ensure that I scored as many runs as I could. It was not as if I wanted to throw my wicket away after the powerplay. I wanted to continue the momentum and intent, but I unfortunately got dismissed while trying to play a few shots. My batting plan is pretty simple and straightforward.”
Indian batting woes were evident throughout the series with the team as they lost 27 wickets to spin bowling. Sri Lanka’s spinners Jeffery Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, and Charith Asalanka proved to be effective as the visitors struggled to counter their spin attack.
After the T20 World Cup triumph, India is looking for a victory in the Champions Trophy 2025. Following the series defeat, India will shift their focus to the upcoming Bangladesh tour, which includes a two-test match series and three T20Is starting on September 19.
