- IND vs SL 2nd ODI: India had a target of 241 runs, but Rohit Sharma-led Team India lost easily despite a good start.
Why Team India Struggling In Sri Lanka:
Team India had to face defeat by 32 runs in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. India had a target of 241 runs, but the Rohit Sharma-led Team India lost easily despite a good start. Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill added 97 runs, but after that the batsmen surrendered easily. Earlier, the first ODI between the two teams was tied. In the first ODI, Team India could not achieve the target of 231 runs. However, today we will look at the reasons for Team India’s defeat…
Team India’s batsmen are not in practice…
The lack of match practice is clearly visible in the batsmen of Team India. This can be gauged from the fact that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have come on the field after the IPL. Virat Kohli last played in the T20 World Cup. Although Rohit Sharma is definitely looking in form, other batsmen are struggling.
The defensive approach is proving costly for Team India
Indian batsmen are seen in defensive mode against the opposition bowlers. Especially, Team India players are defending against spinners, hence they are getting a chance to move the ball completely. 5 Indian batsmen were out LBW in the second ODI.
Sri Lanka’s lower order batsmen became a hindrance
In the first two matches of this series, Sri Lanka’s lower order batsmen became a problem for Team India. Sri Lanka lost 6 wickets for 136 runs in the 35th over, but despite this, Sri Lanka managed to reach 240 runs. Indian bowlers conceded more than 100 runs in the last 15 overs, but could dismiss only 3 batsmen. Almost the same was seen in the first ODI as well.
Sri Lanka’s part-time bowlers are not able to handle Indian batsmen
In this series, Sri Lanka’s part-time bowlers have become a problem for the Indian batsmen. Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Aslanka has 11 wickets in 61 ODIs, out of which 6 wickets have come in this series. Especially, Indian middle order batsmen are getting stuck badly in front of Sri Lankan part-time bowlers.
Team India is missing the fourth spinner
So far in the first two matches, it has been seen that the pitch is helping the spinners. Hence, Sri Lanka is playing with 5 spin bowling options, but the Indian team is giving preference to Shivam Dubey over Riyan Parag. Actually, Shivam Dubey has been a big flop in batting. At the same time, Riyan Parag had impressed a lot in the T20 format.
What a sensational victory for the Lions! 🦁 Our bowlers, led by the incredible Jeffrey Vandersay, roared back to dismiss India for 208.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) August 4, 2024
We take the lead in the ODI series 1-0. The fight is on! 💪 #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/AfaILjvW7R
India’s recent performance in Sri Lanka has been a cause for concern. Despite being considered the favorites, the team has faced unexpected challenges. Let’s delve into some potential reasons behind India’s struggles:
1. Spin Challenge:
- Sri Lankan Spinners: The Sri Lankan spin duo of [spinner’s names] has been particularly effective. Their ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitches has troubled Indian batsmen.
- Adaptation Issues: Indian batsmen seem to be struggling to adapt to the slow, turning pitches. The lack of practice on similar conditions might be a contributing factor.
2. Middle Order Concerns:
- Inconsistency: The Indian middle order has been inconsistent. Key players like [player names] have failed to deliver consistently.
- Lack of Finishers: India has struggled to find reliable finishers who can accelerate the scoring rate in the latter stages of the innings.
3. Mental Pressure:
- High Expectations: The weight of expectations can be a burden. The Indian team is often expected to win, and the pressure to perform can affect player confidence.
- Lack of Resilience: The team might be struggling to bounce back from early setbacks. The ability to regroup and fight back is crucial in cricket.
4. Pitch Conditions:
- Unfamiliar Terrain: The Sri Lankan pitches are different from what Indian players are accustomed to. The slow, turning tracks have challenged their batting and bowling strategies.
- Lack of Preparation: Adequate preparation for these conditions might have been lacking.
5. Opposition’s Resilience:
- Determined Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan team has shown great determination and fight. They have played to their strengths and capitalized on India’s mistakes.
It’s important to note that these are just potential factors, and the actual reasons for India’s struggles might be a combination of these or other factors. The team management and coaching staff will need to analyze the performances thoroughly to identify the root causes and implement necessary changes.