The recent ODI series of India against Sri Lanka ended in disappointment, as they fell to a defeat in the three-match contest. More particularly, the third ODI was one-sided, with India losing the match by a heavy margin of 110 runs. In the earlier games, though in a position from which they could have sewed things up, they simply could not get over the line. The first one-day international ended in a tie, while the second concluded with India lagging by 32 runs, and, therefore, the series for them finished without a solitary victory.
One of the biggest letdowns of the series was Virat Kohli. He is highly regarded for his amazing record against Sri Lanka and pretty much had the responsibility of leading the Indian batting. He fumbled his way through the series, failing to cross the 50-run mark in any of the matches. His inability to deliver was one of the prime reasons India was not able to chase down targets or set formidable totals.
Though it was not a good day for the team, Kohli still showed his sportsman spirit. After the final-inning match, Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka went to Kohli with a request: a signed jersey. He, in return, gifted his jersey as memorabilia to the young cricketer. Though this act was lauded far and wide, it again showed how Kohli values the sport and fellow cricketers more than personal and team losses.
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When Virat Kohli faltered, Rohit Sharma was the only brightest star in the Indian batting line-up. He got off in his sound form in the first two ODIs by scoring half-centuries, which was so crucial for India because it set them up with a good start. As is mostly the case, he fell through, and the Indian batting lineup thereafter could hardly stand on its feet stiflingly, often falling down like luciferase under fluourescent pressure, especially from spin.
Kusal Mendis wanted Virat Kohli’s Jersey, King Kohli himself came and gifted his signed Jersey to Mendis after yesterday’s match.❤️
– KING KOHLI IS A GEM, WHAT A GUY. 🐐pic.twitter.com/jzxKPNcFHP
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) August 8, 2024
After the series loss, Rohit admitted the challenge but played down the concern of India struggling against spin. He rather wanted his boys to introspect and better their individual game plans instead of panicking over the series loss.
“I don’t consider it a concern, but it’s something we need to seriously look at, our individual game plans, and it’s something that we were for sure put under pressure within this series,” he told the host broadcaster.
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But a crestfallen Rohit Sharma looked at the brighter angle with his last comment: “Worst thing in the world if you lose a series.” The talismanic opener had said the team had been consistent down the years, and these setbacks are part and parcel of the game. One would surely want to introspect and improve, especially in challenging conditions like those in Sri Lanka.
“We have lost the series and I think there is a lot to look into rather than the positives. We will have to definitely go back and try and figure out what needs to be done when we will be playing the upcoming series,” he concluded. Such words created a weighing statement between the need for reflection and the team’s confidence in its overall abilities.
