Rohit Sharma termed the 32-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the second ODI as hurting, and said there will be discussions about the way batters played in the middle-overs. Following a second successive collapse in the middle overs during the series against Sri Lanka, India captain Rohit Sharma was left disappointed.
India were jolted by leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay’s six-wicket haul, and were bowled out for 208 while chasing 241, once again exposing their fragility against spin.
Sri Lanka beat India by 32 runs despite Rohit Sharma’s blistering start.
Despite what may have unraveled at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday in the opening ODI match of the three-game series, where the Sri Lankan spinners forced a dramatic draw after India needed just one run to win, the visitors were expected to make a strong comeback in the second game on Sunday.
But the issue remained the same with the Indian team as Jeffrey Vandersay single-handedly crushed their hopes with a record six-wicket haul at the same venue to help Sri Lanka win by 32 runs and take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the contest.
There were similarities in the Sri Lankan innings as well. Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious situation at 136/6 before Dunith Wellalage and the lower order bailed them out of trouble to post a challenging total of 240/9. In response, it was captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma yet again with his fiery half-century knock that helped India get off to a flier. Rohit Sharma was also involved in a 97-run opening stand with Shubman Gill as India looked certain to script a comeback in the match.
However, with Rohit Sharma’s departure, the rest of the line-up succumbed against the Sri Lankan spinner. Vandersay was the chief architect as he picked the first six wickets, all in a space of just 58 deliveries for 50 runs. Axar Patel did look to rebuild with his run-a-ball 44, before India Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka applied the brakes with two successive wickets, which was enough to fold India for 208 runs in 42.2 overs.
Following a second successive collapse in the middle overs, India captain Rohit Sharma was left disappointed at the results. Rohit Sharma sent a stern warning to his batters that they would discuss the matter before they head into the third and final ODI match.
Rohit Sharma upset after India suffer another collapse in 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka
Team India captain Rohit Sharma has admitted that there will be discussions in the camp about the Men in Blue’s batting capitulation in the first two one-dayers against Sri Lanka. India went down to Sri Lanka by 32 runs in the second ODI played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 4.
Earlier, India had tied the first ODI with Sri Lanka, also played in Colombo on August 2. In both matches, the Men in Blue suffered shocking batting collapses after getting off to flying starts in gettable chases. In the first game, India went from 75-0 to 230 all out. On Sunday, they were cruising 117-1 in a chase of 241 but crumbled to 208 all out as Jeffrey Vandersay claimed 6-33.
Reflecting on India’s abject batting performance, skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that the meltdown in the middle overs will be discussed by the think tank. He said :
“We weren’t good enough. Don’t want to look too much into how we played. But there will be talks about our batting in the middle overs.”
In Sunday’s clash, Rohit top-scored with 66 off 44, while Axar Patel contributed 44 and Shubman Gill 35. However, Virat Kohli (14), Shivam Dube (0), Shreyas Iyer (7) and KL Rahul (0) disappointed.
“When you lose a game, everything hurts. You have to play consistent cricket, and we failed to do that today. Little disappointed, but these things happen. You got to adapt what’s in front of you. Credit to Jeffrey, he got six wickets.” the Indian captain stated.
While Vandersay, coming in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga picked up six wickets, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka once again made a crucial contribution, claiming 3-20 with his off-spin.
Rohit Sharma reflects on dismissal in 2nd ODI versus Sri Lanka
Chasing 241, India were in a great position at 97-1 in the 14th over. Rohit, though, attempted a reverse sweep off Vandersay and perished to a brilliant diving catch by Pathum Nissanka. It was all Sri Lanka after that. Despite the wicket proving to be a turning point, the India captain asserted that he would continue to bat with the same aggressive mindset in the upcoming games as well. He pointed out:
“The reason I got 65 (64) is because of the way I batted. When I am batting like that, there are a lot of risks taken. If you don’t cross the line, you always feel disappointed. I don’t want to compromise on my intent.”
Rohit Sharma struck five fours and four sixes in his impressive knock on Sunday before being dismissed by Vandersay. India will be back for the third and final game of the white-ball tour against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Tuesday.