Skipper Rohit Sharma was not one bit pleased with the performances of Indian batters against the Sri Lankan spinners in the three-match ODI series in Colombo.
The visitors suffered a crushing 110-run defeat in the must-win third ODI to lose the series 2-0. India’s star-studded batting line-up was troubled by the spinners right through the series and it was no different in the final match.
Chasing 249 to win, the tourists were bowled out for 138 in 26.1 overs, with no batter managing to touch the 40-run mark.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Rohit addressed the question regarding Indian batters’ struggle against the Lankan tweakers.
“I don't think it's a concern, but it's something we need to look at seriously, our individual gameplans, and it's something we were definitely put under pressure with in this series,” the Indian captain.
He also dismissed the suggestions that the team was complacent after winning the T20 World Cup just over a month ago.
“No, it's a joke. When you're playing for India, there's no complacency. We have to give credit where credit is due, Sri Lanka played better than us,” Rohit added.
“We looked at the conditions, wanted to take pace off the ball, and that's why we went with our combination. All in all we didn't play good cricket through the series, and that is why we stand here,” he further remarked.
Rohit Sharma also counted on the positives from the 50-over series in Sri Lanka. “Throughout there were a few positives too. How the spinners bowled, some of the batters in the middle as well.”
“We lost the series, and I feel there are a lot of areas we need to look at rather than the positives. We need to go back and look at what we need to do when we come up against conditions like this. Series lost doesn't mean the end of the world. These guys have been playing very well over the past few years, very consistent, you will lose the odd series," he concluded.
India’s next assignment is the home Test series against Bangladesh, slated to get underway on September 19 at Chepauk.
