It’s been a challenging week for the Indian cricket team in Colombo, as they find themselves yet to secure a victory in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. As they head into the final game of the tour, there is a glimmering prospect of India losing a bilateral series against their Asian neighbours for the first time in 27 years. This series hasn’t seen the best of starts for Gautam Gambhir and his squad in the 50-over format, as their performance has been marred by struggles against Sri Lankan spin bowlers during the middle overs of the matches.
In both games of the series so far, Rohit Sharma managed to capitalize on the new ball, steering India to promising starts while chasing modest targets. Yet, the tables turned quickly as the Sri Lankan spinners orchestrated collapses in India’s batting lineup on both occasions. The first match ended in a nail-biting tie, and the second match resulted in a 32-run victory for the hosts.
Washington Sundar, the Indian all-rounder, has offered a different perspective on these defeats. He views them as opportunities to prepare for bigger challenges in future tournaments. “Honestly, we are quality players of spin,” Sundar stated confidently. “We’ve always played on these kinds of wickets, whether at home in domestic cricket or during Tests. Our players have a proven track record in the middle-order, especially against spin. It’s simply about finding an individual approach to get the job done.”
To bolster his point, Sundar emphasized the resilience and potential of the Indian team. “Everyone knows it is a challenging wicket, and the Indian team consistently rises to the occasion when challenges arise. That’s when we perform our best with both bat and ball, navigating through challenging situations successfully. That’s been the hallmark of the Indian cricket team over the years.”
“I think the situation in this series is no different. It’s about finding a way individually and accomplishing the task. Tomorrow offers a great opportunity to demonstrate that,” he added.
In both matches, India fell apart while batting second.
. In the first ODI, they crumbled from 75 without loss to 132 for five. In the second match, they staggered from 97 without loss to 147 for six. Sundar, however, dismissed the notion that the R Premadasa Stadium pitch held any significant advantage for teams bowling second. “I believe the pitch remains consistent in both innings. In the evening, perhaps the ball skids a bit more and comes onto the bat quicker, but overall, it plays the same.”
One notable aspect of India’s batting against the spin in the second ODI was their reluctance to use their feet against the spinners, a technique that Gambhir himself had excelled at during his playing days.
“He (Gambhir) was an exceptional player of spin,” Sundar acknowledged. “We’ve seen him deliver courageous performances on similar pitches against high-quality spin bowling. Naturally, he has provided us with ample input. That’s one of the reasons we come out to practice, to find ways and make those subtle adjustments.”
“We’re among the best teams; we just need to step up in those crucial moments of the game. Tomorrow gives us a chance to do exactly that and secure a win. With major tournaments on the horizon, facing similar situations is inevitable. It’s essential to figure out ways to succeed in these critical moments against quality spin attacks.”
Gambhir’s influence on the team has been encouraging, as his expertise and advice remain pivotal. However, the practical application of such insights on the field must align with the team’s execution. There’s a growing need for the Indian side to adapt quickly and bounce back, especially when their credibility and streaks of past dominance are at stake.
As the series finale approaches, the Indian team carries the hopes of overturning its recent misfortunes and avoiding a historic series loss. Players individually and collectively must find the resolve and technique to conquer the Sri Lankan spinners and conclude the series on a positive note. A victory in the final game could serve as a confidence booster and pave the way for better preparations ahead of upcoming international fixtures.