India’s plan of attack for the second ODI, which is scheduled to take place here on Sunday, would prioritize countermeasures against a slow pitch and a variety of slow bowlers from Sri Lanka.
India lost the first ODI on Friday after chasing a respectable 231 and being well positioned at 130 for three. The Lankan spinners had enough bravery to dismiss the visitors for 230 and force a stalemate.
With surprisingly good results, the host team used their army of tweakers to target the core of the Indian top and middle order—Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer.
Though not uncomfortable, the troika was unable to break away due to several well-planned maneuvers made by the accurate and well-resourced Lankans.
Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage and leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga tied Kohli down as the Indian batsman faced 29 of the 32 balls that the spinners produced.
Eventually, Hasaranga got the better of him, and with Shreyas comfortable against spinners, Lankan captain Charith Asalanka brought pacer Asitha Fernando into the fold.
Fernando proved his worth by getting rid of Shreyas with a peach, which was also the only Indian wicket to fall to a fast.
Hasaranga also managed to snare Rahul, who is a skilled spinner.
Although it would be too little to pursue some of the more accomplished stars if they stammered in a single match, the Indians will be keen to bat long and rotate strikes, which is essential to neutralizing spinners on such wickets.
Despite a barrage of wickets at the other end, Sri Lankans Pathum Nissanka and Wellalage demonstrated this en route to their fifties while handling Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar with efficiency.
In contrast to their Sri Lankan counterparts, who leaked 167 in 37.5 overs for nine wickets, the four Indian spinners, including Shubman Gill, leaked 126 in 30 overs for four wickets.
Therefore, the Indians will aim to limit the harm without sacrificing their ability to score runs.
That was stated by bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule. We had moments when we batted well, and we had certain partnerships that would have allowed us to win with fewer wickets lost. We made every effort to form relationships,” Bahutule remarked following the opening game.
Bringing in Rishabh Pant or Riyan Parag is one option India might consider, as both are excellent at combating spinners and can throw off their rhythm by playing some of those unconventional smashes.
While scooping and reverse-sweeping Washington Sundar and Axar, Wellalage accomplished that to flawless effect.
Parag also brings with him the package deal of being both an off-spinner and a leg-spinner.
It is still to be seen, though, if the Indian team management—which hasn’t been their habit lately—will alter their ways after just one game.
After shackling a far better and more seasoned opponent, Sri Lanka will go into the second game of the three-match series in a better mental state.
However, they will keep an eye on the fitness of Hasaranga, who was seen clutching his hamstring towards the end of his spell in the opening one-dayer.
Teams (from): India: Rohit Sharma (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.
