Rohit Sharma, captain of Team India does not believe that the Men in Blue were overconfident before their recent T20 World Cup 2024 victory series against Sri Lanka. Responding to a query on this matter following India’s 2-0 defeat in the same series, ‘I called it ‘a joke’.
Sri Lanka won by 110 runs against the Men in Blue in the third and final ODI match which was played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Wednesday, August 7. After batting first having won the toss, hosts scored 248-7 runs from 50 overs. In reply chase India were all out for 138 within 26.1 overs with Dunith Wellalage claiming 5 wickets for just 27 runs.
At post-match presentation ceremony Rohit emphatically dismissed queries whether Team India was being overconfident in those ODIs or not.
“It is a joke,” he said, “When you are playing for India, there is no complacency. And, as far as I am here captaining the team, it’s not going to be the case. You come out here trying to win every game,” the Indian captain went on to add.
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“When I am captain there is no chance of complacency” Rohit & Co. take learnings from here and move 🔛
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The 37-year-old acknowledged that the Men in Blue were outperformed in the ODI series and commended Sri Lanka for their superior performance.
“Yeah, we were outplayed throughout the series. You’ve got to give credit where it is due. Sri Lanka played better than us,” Rohit conceded.
The Men in Blue faced numerous batting collapses during the one-day series because spin became their Achilles heel. When asked if that was a problem for the visitors, the Indian captain said:
“I don’t think it is a concern. But it is something we need to look at seriously into our individual game plans. [It was] definitely something that we were put under pressure throughout the series with,” Rohit stated.
Jeffrey Vandersay took eight wickets in two matches for Sri Lanka, while Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka each claimed seven and six wickets, respectively, in three matches each.
“We Believed Slowing Down The Ball Was Ideal” – Rohit Sharma On Team Combination For 3rd ODI
In the last one-day International against Sri Lanka, India made two alterations to their playing eleven. Rishabh Pant returned for KL Rahul while Arshdeep Singh was replaced by Riyan Parag who made his first appearance as an ODI player.
Another classy hit from the HITMAN 🎯
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Regarding the choice to select a spinner over a leading fast bowler, Rohit explained:
“We looked at the conditions and thought taking the pace off the ball is ideal and we went with that combination. We also have to look at guys who are waiting in the wings. All in all, we didn’t play good cricket throughout the series and hence we stand here with that result,” the Indian captain concluded.
Riyan performed well with the ball, taking 3-54. However, his efforts were in vain as India’s batsmen struggled once more against Sri Lanka’s spinners.
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