Anubhav Katheria
Sri Lankan spinners took Indian batters by storm in the first ODI, and Indian batters were seen under pressure facing them. India’s top priority for the 2nd ODI against SL would be to understand the slow pitch of Colombo and come up with a plan to counter the spin attack of SL
The Indian team failed to score 1 run in 14 balls to win the first ODI and the match tied. The Sri Lankan team set a target of 231 runs for India. The 21-year-old SL batter Dunith Wellalage saved his team’s hope and scored 67 runs in 65 balls with a strike rate of 103. Pathum Nissanka, the consistent performer for SL also scored a half century with 57 runs. Mohammed Siraj got the first wicket for India and Axar Patel bowled a magnificent spell, he took 2 wickets and maintained an economy of 3.3, he gave just 33 runs in his 10 overs.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opened the innings for India, Gill was disappointing on the other hand Rohit scored 58 runs in 47 balls. Virat Kohli, Washington Sunder and Shreyas Iyer didn’t do well with the bat as well. KL Rahul and Axar Patel were holding the innings for India, but Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka were dominating Team India with their bowling. Hasaranga and Asalanka both got 3 wickets. In the end when India needed 1 run from 14 balls, Asalanka and Hasaranga’s bowling didn’t allow Indian batters to score that 1 run, Both the SL bowlers took back-to-back wickets and the match tied.
The star-studded Indian batting line up was having difficulty facing the variety of Sri Lankan spinners, the slow pitch of Colombo worked in favor of the SL bowlers. India was well placed in a comfortable position of 130 for 3 but then got all out at 230.
Indian batters will look to bat long and rotate strike, which is the best way to attack spinners in such slow pitches.
India’s bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said that the team did bat well in patches, and they could have had some partnerships that would have taken them with less wicket going. They did try their best to get into partnerships, Bahutule added.
