India suffer first bilateral ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years
Team India lost the third ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo by 110 runs and lost the 3-match ODI series 2-0. This happens to be India's first series loss against the Islanders since 1997.
Fresh off the series win against the hosts in the T20Is series, a new look Team India geared up to take the field against the Lankan Lions. With the way Gautam Gambhir and others in the backroom staff operated in the T20Is, a lot of expectations were there but none to be fulfilled.
Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, had a cracking game to get the series underway. The hosts only managed to muster 230 runs in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma led by example with the bat as he shaved a good chunk of the total making the chase easier for the middle order. However, the middle order failed to do the job and lost wickets in clusters, getting all out for 230 and with the match ending in a tie.
In the second ODI, Team India crumbled against the Sri Lankan spin attack as they lost wickets at regular intervals once Rohit Sharma was dismissed. Sri Lankan spinners, Jeffrey Vandersay in particular, were instrumental in stringing the collapse as Sri Lanka won the match by 32 runs.
A similar fate was ensured for Team India in a do-or-die encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium. India managed to limit Sri Lanka to 248/7 in their 50 overs. In response, India got to a good start but lost wickets in the early middle overs, crumbling from 53/2 to 101/8. Washington Sundar put up some resistance, but that wasn't enough as India was all out for 138 and lost the match by 110 runs.
When was the last time Team India lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka?
Team India last lost an ODI series against Sri Lanka back in 1997. The ODI team, led by Sachin Tendulkar, had a tour to forget as they came close to winning on two occasions, but failed to get past the finish line.
The team back in 1997, consisted of stars like Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. They lost the first game by two runs, chasing a tall target of 302 before Sri Lanka chased down 238 runs in the second game to take an unassailable series lead.
India would come close to beating the Islanders for the second time but would have another heartbreak as they lost the match by nine runs and the series by a margin of 3-0.