New Delhi. The Indian team could not score a single run in 14 balls against Sri Lanka in the first ODI. The result was that the match was tied. There is a lot of hue and cry about the pitch in the match played in Colombo. This pitch was slow and the spinners got the advantage. The spinners of the host team dominated against the guests on the slow wicket. The second ODI between India and Sri Lanka is also to be played at the same venue. Team India will have to find a way to deal with the spinners and the slow pitch in the match to be played on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 231 runs in the first ODI, Team India was looking good at one point after scoring 130 runs for 3 wickets. But after this, Sri Lanka’s (IND vs SL) spinners dominated. And the Indian team was all out for 230 runs, which resulted in a tie. Rohit Sharma batted aggressively but after this, Sri Lanka’s spinners executed their strategy well. To face them, India fielded Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who have had a lot of success against spin bowlers.
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‘The pitch was playing very slow in the first ODI’
These three did not face any problem but they could not bat freely. Left-arm spinner Dunith Welalage and leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga kept Kohli in check. The pitch was playing very slow and it was not easy to face the spinner. Even later, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka, who is mainly a batsman, also bowled and tied the match by taking three important wickets.
Velalage took 4 wickets in the first ODI
The Indian batsmen needed to build a partnership but they failed in doing so. On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and Wellalage showed how to bat on such a wicket by scoring half-centuries despite a flurry of wickets at the other end. They faced Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar effectively. India’s four spinners, including Shubman Gill, took four wickets for 126 runs in 30 overs, while Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers bowled 37.5 overs and took nine wickets for 167 runs. Indian spinners will have to focus on stopping runs as well as taking wickets.
India can give chance to Pant or Riyan Parag
India can make one change in batting and give a chance to Rishabh Pant or Riyan Parag. Who have a good record against spinners. Both these batsmen can break their rhythm by playing unconventional shots. Velalage used scoop and reverse sweep well against Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. Parag can also play the role of spinner but it remains to be seen whether the Indian team management makes changes in the team after only one match or not because in recent times it has not had such a strategy.
Tags: IND vs SL, India vs Sri Lanka, Rishabh Pant, riyan parag, Rohit Sharma
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 3, 2024, 15:43 IST
