Former Pakistan cricketer turned famous commentator Ramiz Raja has recently said that the first One Day International between India and Sri Lanka was like a ‘university vs school’ match. While India thrashed Sri Lanka in just 36.4 overs while chasing 263, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishan Kishan and Prithvi Shaw stepped up with the bat as well.
“India vs Sri Lanka seemed like a University team vs School team match. Such was the difference between the skills, execution, talent and the ability to understand the game. This is a very challenging situation for Sri Lankan cricket because they were playing at home. They prepared a flat pitch for the series opener against India and still ended with an average score,” Ramiz Raja said in his YouTube channel. “The way Sri Lanka played against spin, it looked like they had no idea how to tackle spin. Historically, Sri Lankan batsmen have dominated the spinners. However, the current lot just does not seem to be on that level yet.”
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On the other hand, Sri Lanka players got a good start but they couldn’t capitalize on it and ended up scoring only 263 for 9 as well.
“The Sri Lanka batters looked confused after getting a start. They couldn’t understand how to change the gear. And this confusion was created by India’s outstanding bowling performance. India didn’t have to push much as the challenge wasn’t tough. The game was one-sided. Sri Lanka produced a flop show. I don’t know whether watching them in future would be interesting. Everything about them seemed in slow motion – a team is playing against a side that felt like no challenge was being thrown at them,” Ramiz Raja again shared.
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While the second ODI will take place on Tuesday, Team India will try to seal the series with yet another win as well. However, the series is comprised of six limited-overs games – three One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals as well.
