India will have to win the third ODI against Sri Lanka to level the series.
While the series opener ended in a tie as India couldn’t chase the target of 231, the visitors suffered a comprehensive 32-run defeat in the second match while chasing 241.
As a result, the Rohit Sharma-led side finds itself in a tough spot. The tourists have to win the third and final ODI in Colombo on Wednesday (August 7) to level the series 1-1.
Ahead of the third ODI, the BCCI shared a video on social media platform X, in which the Men in Blue can be seen honing their skills in the nets under the watchful eyes of interim bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar.
"Well I think the batters and overall as a unit, the bowlers as well, certain areas which we need to be working on, has been addressed and I think that's what they were trying to implement, certain pattern of bowling which has been done to our batters, we're trying to see how we can match that and find a solution," Bahutule stated in the video.
According to reports, captain Rohit turned up for practice on Tuesday (August 6) but didn't bat while Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul had fairly long batting sessions.
Rishabh Pant, who warmed the bench in the first two ODIs, also hit the ball around a bit against the spinners in the nets.
Ryan ten Doeschate said, "We're trying to be very specific and learn from the mistakes in the first couple of games since the conditions have been very tough, guys have come up with their own plans and how they want to go about it. It's more of a mental point of view, they're all fantastic players of spin, that's not likely to be an issue. We're trying to just form an environment where the guys feel positive where they can really express themselves and go out to show how good they are. I think it's admirable how the guys one-up with themselves under pressure. They feel that we'll at least share the series with Sri Lanka. And the preparation has been made around that we can be our best."
With the series at stake, the Indian are now in a spot of bother whether to field their strongest XI or experiment ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be played in just six months.
Nayar remarked, "I think as Indians we are emotional people and normally when sometimes you don't get results our way, there is a lot of passion and integrity at stake for every individual so every cricketer in that dressing room knows what's at stake and a lot of time that sort of brings the best out of the team and it bring out that fighting spirit that you want to often see in our team, then you obviously try to implement that in the centre with all the strategies that you come with, all the discussions that we have in the dressing room, sometimes, being pushed against the wall brings the best out of us."