Despite the loss in the final ODI against Sri Lanka, Team India won the three-match ODI series by 2-1. And, Indian captain Shikhar Dhawan has expressed his happiness for the five debutants as well. Meanwhile, it was for the first time since 1980, India played with five debutants in an ODI.
After having won the series on Tuesday, India handed ODI caps to Sanju Samson, Chetan Sakariya, Rahul Chahar, Nitish Rana and Krishnappa Gowtham. India worked hard but ended up losing the game by three wickets (DLS method), which was also their first ODI defeat in Sri Lanka in nine years as well.
“I am glad the players made their debut because everyone was in quarantine for such a long time, and we had this chance because we sealed the series in the last game. I always analyse where I can improve and get better in strategies,” said Shikhar Dhawan in the presentation ceremony.
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Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, Rahul Chahar and Chetan Sakariya have impressed in their first game. While Samson scored a blistering 46, Sakariya and Chahar claimed two and three wickets respectively as well. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan’s captaincy journey started with a series win as well, but he also became the first Indian captain under whom the team has lost a match at Colombo’s R Premadasa in almost 12 years as well. However, he stated that they were 50 runs short.
“It didn’t go our way. We tried some new players. We got a good start, but again we lost too many wickets in the middle overs. We were 50 runs short in the end. Of course, we were positive that we could defend the target, but we knew that we were short. The boys gave a good fight, and it was interesting in the end. We always have to keep learning,” said Shikhar Dhawan on the team’s performance.
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Shikhar Dhawan, however, finished as India’s leading run-scorer with 128 runs at an average of 64. India will now play a three-match T20I series against the same opponent as well.
