Indian captain Rohit Sharma was not particularly pleased with his side’s performance against Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series that took place at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Friday.
After restricting the hosts to 230 at the end of the first innings, Rohit thought that his batting unit could have chased down the total. However, he lamented on his side’s inability to generate enough momentum consistently. He rued on the regular loss of wickets which put them on the back foot.
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“The score was gettable but you have to bat well to get that. We batted well in patches but there was no consistent momentum. We started well but knew the game would start once spin came on. We lost a few wickets and fell behind,” skipper Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The pair of KL Rahul and Axar Patel were able to generate a partnership of 57 runs in 92 balls to take the game back in their hands as the equation in the end was just one run in 14 balls with one wicket remaining.
However, Arshdeep Singh, the last batter looked to swing his willow right from ball one which resulted in his premature dismissal, resulting in the draw.
“We came back through the stand between Axar and Rahul. Disappointed to not get that one run with 14 balls, but I won’t read too much,” the skipper didn’t want to be too critical.
Speaking on the conditions at the Colombo pitch, the Indian captain suggested that there was something on offer with the new ball and also later with the older ball as well. He did not think it was a track where the batters had nothing to worry about but rather one where the batters had to take their time to get accustomed to the track.
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“The bite was there at the start and then the ball became softer as the seam wore off. It was not a game where you could play your shots (straightway). You had to apply yourself and dig in. Proud of how we fought but it was important to hold our nerves,” the skipper commented.
Rohit thought that his side could have done better in the first innings to restrict them to a total of under 230. But they were unable to counter the brilliant knock by the young Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage who scored an unbeaten 67 to keep the hosts in the contest.
“I did believe we should have done a bit more well to restrict them under 230. It turned a lot more in the afternoon. Under lights, it became easier to bat,” he concluded.
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