Cricket

India's ODI Woes: Limited Matches Before Champions Trophy Raise ConcernsIndia's recent ODI series loss to Sri Lanka has sparked concerns about the team's preparedness for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for next year in Pakistan. With only three ODIs remaining before the tournament, former opener Wasim Jaffer has expressed his apprehension.In the third ODI of the series, Sri Lanka outplayed India by 110 runs, thanks to Avishka Fernando's 96-run knock and Dunith Wellalage's five-wicket haul. This defeat marked India's first ODI assignment since their disappointing loss to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup final last year.Jaffer took to Twitter to voice his concerns, stating, "SL played better cricket and deserve the series win. It doesn't worry me that India lost a series. Wins and losses are part of the game. However, it's a point of concern that India has just 3 ODIs before the Champions Trophy. #SLvIND."India's next ODI assignment will be a three-match home series against England in February next year. However, the limited number of matches before the Champions Trophy has raised questions about the team's ability to adequately prepare.The Champions Trophy is a prestigious tournament that brings together the top eight ODI teams in the world. India has won the tournament twice, in 2002 and 2013. However, their recent ODI performances have been inconsistent, raising doubts about their chances of success in Pakistan.The team's batting has been particularly vulnerable, with the top order failing to provide consistent starts. The middle order has also struggled to convert starts into substantial scores. The bowling attack, too, has been inconsistent, with the pacers struggling to find rhythm and the spinners lacking control.With the Champions Trophy fast approaching, India needs to address these concerns and find a way to improve their ODI performances. The upcoming series against England will provide a crucial opportunity for the team to gain some momentum and build confidence ahead of the tournament.

India's recent ODI series loss to Sri Lanka has raised concerns about their vulnerability to spin bowling on dry surfaces. Captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the issue, stating that it requires serious attention and individual game plan adjustments.Despite Rohit's impressive batting performance, India's middle-order struggled to cope with the increasing turn and slower tempo of the ball. In the series opener, they collapsed from 75/0 to 132/5, while in the second ODI, they went from 97/0 to 147/6.Rohit dismissed suggestions of complacency, emphasizing that the team remains committed to winning every game. However, he acknowledged that Sri Lanka outplayed India and deserved credit.India's decision to chase in all three matches, due to losing the toss, exposed them to the challenging conditions under lights. In the final ODI, they opted for an extra batter in Riyan Parag, who made his ODI debut and impressed with 3/54.Rohit explained that the bowling changes were influenced by the conditions and the need to provide opportunities to younger players. He praised the performance of India's spinners but stressed the need to address the team's overall weaknesses.India's next ODI series is scheduled for January against England, followed by the Champions Trophy in 2025. Rohit expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from this setback and improve in challenging conditions.

India's Batting Woes Continue as Sri Lanka Clinch ODI SeriesIn a disappointing display, India's batting lineup crumbled against Sri Lanka's spin attack in the third and final ODI in Colombo. Chasing a competitive target of 249, India were bowled out for a mere 138, handing Sri Lanka a comprehensive 110-run victory and their first bilateral ODI series win over India since 1997.Despite a promising start from Rohit Sharma, India's batters fell prey to the guile of Sri Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana. Wellalage, who claimed a five-wicket haul, and Theekshana wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, with Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and debutant Riyan Parag all falling victim to their spin wizardry.Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted a competitive total of 248/7, thanks to a well-paced 96 from opener Avishka Fernando and a solid contribution from Kusal Mendis (59). Fernando's innings laid the foundation for Sri Lanka, as he shared crucial partnerships with Pathum Nissanka (45) and Mendis.India's bowling effort was led by debutant Riyan Parag, who picked up three wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav provided valuable support. However, the Sri Lankan batters managed to capitalize on the Indian bowlers' inconsistencies, with Mohammed Siraj proving expensive.The series victory marked a significant achievement for Sri Lanka, as they had not won a bilateral ODI series against India since 1997. The result also highlighted the challenges faced by the Indian team on turning tracks, as acknowledged by Maheesh Theekshana in his post-match comments."We knew they are used to small grounds and good wickets in India. So they would struggle on a big Premadasa ground. We knew we could get an advantage with some turn on the wicket, and we have good spinners," Theekshana said after the win.

Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, has opted to bat first in the decisive third ODI against India in Colombo. The hosts, who lead the series 1-0, are aiming to secure their first bilateral ODI series victory over India since 1997.Asalanka expressed confidence in his decision to bat, citing the success of this strategy in the previous matches. Sri Lanka has made one change to their lineup, with Maheesh Theekshana replacing Akila Dhananjaya.India, on the other hand, has made two changes. Riyan Parag, who impressed in the T20Is, makes his ODI debut in place of Arshdeep Singh, bolstering India's batting and adding an extra spinner. Rishabh Pant, who has recovered from a car crash, replaces KL Rahul as wicketkeeper.India's lineup now features two seam bowlers and four spinners, while Sri Lanka will rely on a single seamer, Janith Liyanage, and five spinners. The dry pitch is expected to favor spin bowling as the match progresses.Both teams have struggled to convert starts into substantial scores, and Asalanka hopes to see a century on this pitch. The weather forecast predicts clear skies at the start of the game, with a possibility of rain later in the afternoon.

The third and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka is set to commence, with the match referee Ranjan Madugalle officiating his 400th ODI. India, led by Rohit Sharma, has made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag for KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh. Sri Lanka, captained by Charith Asalanka, has opted to bat first after winning the toss.The match is expected to be a low-scoring encounter, with assistance for spinners. In the previous ODI, a leggie who was not even in the original squad troubled the Indian batsmen, dismissing five batters LBW. India is facing the prospect of its first bilateral ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka in 27 years after losing the second ODI by 32 runs.India's batting performance has been lackluster, failing to tackle the Lankan spin attack. The team has addressed the need for improvement and is determined to perform better in the final match. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been in good form and will look to continue their winning ways.The match will be played under pleasant weather conditions, with slight cloudy cover. The outcome of the match will be crucial for both teams, as India seeks to avoid a series defeat and Sri Lanka aims to secure a series victory.

With the ODI series against Sri Lanka hanging in the balance, the Indian cricket team intensified their preparations on Tuesday ahead of the crucial third and final ODI in Colombo on Wednesday. The first ODI ended in a thrilling tie last Friday, while Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the second ODI by 32 runs on Sunday.Under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir, India is determined to avoid their first series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video on their official Twitter handle showcasing the Rohit Sharma-led team practicing diligently under the watchful eyes of interim bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate, and Abhishek Nayar.Bahutule emphasized the team's focus on addressing areas of improvement, particularly in bowling. "We've been working on certain areas that we need to improve on, and the bowlers have been trying to implement a specific pattern of bowling," he said. "We're trying to find solutions to match that and overcome the challenges."According to reports, Rohit Sharma participated in practice but did not bat. Rishabh Pant showcased his aggressive batting against the spinners in the nets, while Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul had extended batting sessions. Notably, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh did not bowl during the practice session.Ryan ten Doeschate highlighted the team's efforts to learn from their mistakes in the first two games. "We're trying to be specific and learn from the mistakes we made in the first couple of games," he said. "The conditions have been tough, but the guys have come up with their own plans. We're trying to create a positive environment where the players can express themselves and showcase their abilities."With the second match ending in a loss, India faces a dilemma between fielding their strongest XI or experimenting ahead of the next major ICC tournament, which is scheduled to take place in just six months.Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from the setback. "As Indians, we are emotional people," he said. "When we don't get the results we want, it brings out the passion and integrity of each individual. Every cricketer in that dressing room knows what's at stake, and that often brings out the best in the team."A loss in the third ODI would be a disappointing outcome for the newly appointed Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff, who took over a team that had been performing exceptionally well in ODI cricket less than a year ago. Despite their early success, they would be eager to avoid ending their two-week tour of Sri Lanka with more questions than answers.

Sri Lanka's stunning victory over India in the second ODI has set the stage for a thrilling series decider. Despite missing key players and facing a formidable Indian side, the hosts have shown remarkable resilience and determination.The match was dominated by spin, with the Khettarama Stadium's conditions favoring the slower bowlers. Jeffrey Vandersay emerged as the hero for Sri Lanka, claiming a sensational six-wicket haul to dismantle India's batting line-up. The visitors, who had looked comfortable at 150 for 6, collapsed to 225 all out.India's struggles against spin have become a major concern. Barring Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel, none of the other batters have looked at ease against the tweakers. The Indian team management will need to address this weakness before the series finale.Another area of concern for India is their inability to close out innings. In both games, they have allowed the Sri Lankan lower order to wag after having them six down for less than 150. This has resulted in totals above 200, which has proved challenging to chase.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have shown great character and adaptability. Despite losing Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of the second game, they have managed to secure a 1-0 lead. The team's performance has been a testament to the depth and talent within their squad.The series decider on Wednesday will be a crucial test for both teams. India will be desperate to avoid a series defeat, while Sri Lanka will be aiming to end a 27-year drought for a bilateral series win against the Men in Blue in ODIs.The match is expected to be another close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka will be hoping to exploit India's spin vulnerability, while India will need to find a way to counter the hosts' spinners and close out the innings effectively.

India's dominance over Sri Lanka in bilateral series has been a long-standing tradition, with India remaining undefeated since 1997. However, the recent two-match series has thrown a curveball, with Sri Lanka emerging victorious in both encounters.Despite India's recent dominance, their batting performance in this series has been underwhelming. The middle order, in particular, has struggled, with no batter at positions 3, 4, 5, or 6 accumulating even 40 runs.Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach in the powerplay and Axar Patel's contributions from No. 7 have been the saving graces for India's batting. However, Washington Sundar, an India player, has defended his team's batting prowess, attributing their struggles to the challenging spin-friendly pitches."We're quality players of spin," Sundar asserted. "We've always played on these kinds of pitches, even at home, even in Test matches. In domestic cricket, we play a lot of games on such wickets."Sri Lanka's lower-middle order batters, particularly Dunith Wellalage, have played a crucial role in their victories, forming vital partnerships in the last 10 overs. India's inability to prevent these partnerships has been a major factor in their downfall."We'd love to get them out for 200 or less than that," Sundar said. "We had them in that situation in both matches. With big tournaments coming up, we'll be in similar situations, and it's an opportunity for us to find a way to get the job done in crunch situations."India's batting has also faced challenges against Sri Lanka's unusual bowling attack, which includes a finger spinner who can bowl with either arm and a mystery spinner who bowls a mix of offbreaks, googlies, and legbreaks. India has attempted to counter this by maintaining a left-right combination at the crease, but the strategy has yet to fully succeed.Coach Gautam Gambhir has been actively involved in helping the team develop their strategy against spin. "There's been a lot of inputs from [Gambhir]," Sundar said. "He's a high-quality player of spin. We've always seen him putting up great performances on such wickets, especially against quality spin-bowling."As India prepares for the Champions Trophy, where they may face similar spin-friendly conditions, the team is determined to improve their performance and regain their dominance over Sri Lanka.

After suffering a 32-run defeat in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, India's all-rounder Washington Sundar has emphasized the significance of the upcoming third and final ODI. This match presents a crucial opportunity for the team to adapt and overcome the challenges posed by spin bowling in difficult conditions, an experience that will be invaluable in preparation for the forthcoming Champions Trophy next year.Sundar acknowledged the team's struggles against Sri Lanka's spinners, which have put India on the brink of its first bilateral ODI series loss to the island nation in 27 years. However, he expressed optimism about the team's ability to navigate through critical situations and learn from the series to improve performance."It is an opportunity for us to go out there and put our hands up and win those critical situations," Sundar said. "Obviously, with the big tournaments coming up, we will be in similar situations and it will be important to find ways as to what we can do to win those critical situations especially in similar conditions against quality spin attack."Sundar defended the team's batting against spin, asserting that the players are adept at playing in such conditions, given their extensive experience in domestic and international cricket. He also mentioned the tactical adjustments the team has made following input from new head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is renowned for his proficiency against spin."We are quality players of spin. We've always played in these kinds of wickets, even at home, in Test matches, and in different formats," Sundar said. "Even domestic cricket, we play a lot of games in such wickets. And we know a lot of our players have done really well, especially in the middle order, batting against spin. So it's just a matter of finding a way, their own individual self and trying to get the job done."Sundar, who has previously delivered a match-winning performance in a T20I against Sri Lanka, expressed his eagerness to capitalize on opportunities to contribute to the team, particularly with the bat during crucial moments of the game."I am someone who works hard and tries to find ways to be successful and to be an asset to the team," Sundar said. "That way when I was thinking about my bowling, I had to do certain things, slightly different, not huge changes, but just to add a couple of more things and do certain things more often and more efficiently."