Rohit discusses complacency post ODI series
Rohit Sharma dismissed talk of ‘complacency’ in the Indian team, calling the question a ‘joke’ as the team has lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years. Team India suffered a crushing defeat by 110 runs in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka, resulting in them losing the series 0-2. The Indian batsmen, who failed to chase the target of 249 runs in Tuesday’s match, once again had to struggle against the Sri Lankan spinners, who dominated the entire series and bundled out India for just 138 runs on this occasion.
The Indian batsmen struggled a lot against spin bowling in all three matches of the series and during the post-match presentation, captain Rohit Sharma was asked if he felt the team was “complacent”. However, the captain seemed unhappy with the question and called it a “joke”.
Rohit said sarcastically, “This is a joke. There is never complacency when you are playing for India. As long as I am here, that is not going to happen,” Rohit Sharma said in a sarcastic tone. He, however, lauded the Sri Lankan team for their performance in the game. “But you have to give credit to good cricket. Sri Lanka played better than us,” the skipper said.
Rohit Sharma expressed concerns about India’s ‘complacency’ following their ODI series loss to Sri Lanka. He emphasized the need for the team to maintain focus and intensity throughout the matches, citing lapses in concentration as a key factor in their defeat. Sharma called for immediate improvements to bounce back stronger.
Struggles against spin not a concern’: Rohit Sharma
Rohit also urged the Indian batsmen to ‘seriously consider’ their individual plans against spin bowling.
I don’t think it is a concern but it is something that we need to seriously consider in our individual game plans and it is something (that) we were definitely under pressure in this series, Rohit told the broadcaster when asked about India’s struggles against spin.
Rohit said that though the series loss is not the ‘end of the world’, it gives the 2023 World Cup finalists a lot to work on. The Indian batsmen were troubled by the Sri Lankan spinners, especially Velalage, who took the crucial wickets of Rohit, Kohli, Iyer and Axar in his opening spell and then completed a five-wicket haul.
A modest stand between Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav
India’s biggest partnership, a modest stand between Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, highlights the team’s struggles. Succumbing to spin, India lost their first series against Sri Lanka in 27 years.
Losing a series doesn’t mean the end of the world. These players have been playing very well for the last couple of years; very consistent. You will lose some series,” Rohit said. “We lost the series and I think we need to focus on many areas rather than the positives. We have to go back and see what we need to do when we face such situations,” he said.
When asked about complacency from the Indian team after the prize distribution ceremony, the Indian captain said, “I don’t think it is a matter of concern.
Thinking about it as a plan
But this is something we have to think about individually and as a game plan. It’s a joke. There is never complacency when you are playing for India. There is no chance of complacency when I am the captain. But you have to give credit to good cricket. Sri Lanka played better than us.
India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI
After winning the toss against India on Wednesday, Sri Lanka scored 248 for 7 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando scored 96 off 102 balls while Kusal Mendis (59) and Pathum Nissanka (45) contributed with the bat. For India, Riyan Parag took three wickets while Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket each.
Chasing a target of 249 runs, India were all out for 138 in 26.1 overs. For India, skipper Rohit Sharma scored 35 runs off 20 balls, while Washington Sundar scored 30 runs off 25 balls. Apart from this, no batsman including Virat Kohli could cross the 20-run mark.
For Sri Lanka, Dunith Welalage took five wickets, Mahesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay took two wickets each and Asitha Fernando took one wicket.
According to the data, Sri Lanka’s Dunith Welalage has become the first spinner to take five wickets in an ODI on more than one occasion against India, as he has taken five wickets in 2023 (5/40 in Colombo) and 5/27 in Colombo in 2024).
Conclusion
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team lost the third ODI against Charith Asalanka-led Sri Lanka by 110 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 7.
With this win on Wednesday, Sri Lanka created history by defeating India in a bilateral ODI series after a gap of 27 years since 1997.
