3 major positives for Team India from their ODI series loss to Sri Lanka ft. Rohit Sharma's form
The dust has settled on India's disappointing ODI series loss to Sri Lanka, with the focus gradually shifting to other competitions like the Duleep Trophy. The Men in Blue won't be seen in action for another five weeks, and this gives us time to reflect on their performances.
India set a winning opportunity slip in the first ODI and couldn't recover from there. Things only got worse as they were beaten soundly in the next two matches and suffered their first series defeat to Sri Lanka in nearly three decades.
However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for India. A few youngsters managed to make a mark, and there were brief glimpses of the dominant team that rampaged their way to the final of the 2023 World Cup.
On that note, here are three major positives for Team India from their ODI series loss to Sri Lanka.
#3 Rohit Sharma carried on from where he left off
Only one batter from both sides scored more than 150 runs, and that was Rohit Sharma. The Indian skipper raced along at a strike rate of 141.44, by far the best in the rubber. He notched up two half-centuries and made contributions in all three matches.
Rohit's form was one of India's biggest positives in the 2023 World Cup, and he continued from where he left off in Ahmedabad. Whether he can sustain this level of performance until the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2027 World Cup remains to be seen, and it can also be said that he needs to rediscover the ability to occupy the crease for long periods in the 50-over format.
As of now, though, India and their fans will be delighted to see how Rohit went about his business in Sri Lanka.
#2 Washington Sundar and Riyan Parag could be an integral part of the side going forward
With Ravindra Jadeja rested, India had the chance to try out their backup spin-bowling all-rounders. While Riyan Parag featured in only the last ODI, he and Washington Sundar managed to impress in a welcome sign for the Men in Blue.
Sundar was decent with both bat and ball, making an important contribution lower down the order in the final ODI while keeping things tight in his primary department. Parag, who made his debut, broke the back of the Sri Lankan batting lineup with a three-fer when things weren't going his team's way.
For a long time, India have needed batters who can roll their arm over. Sundar and Parag are both youngsters with a long future ahead of them.
#1 India gave most of their players a chance to impress
The result may not have gone India's way, but most of their players had the opportunity to shine. The batters were sent in at positions where they had time, while Rohit rotated the bowlers around smartly.
Gautam Gambhir and the think tank had the intention of maximizing the resources at their disposal. Shivam Dube bowled a few overs, while Parag and the spinners were handed a good portion of the workload. And while there wasn't much in it for the fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh were given a chance to impress.
Among those who featured in the XI, no player from the visiting side can claim that they weren't given an adequate amount of time in the middle.