India might implement a “horses-for-courses” approach after losing their first ODI series against Sri Lanka in 27 years due to their inability to overcome the spin-friendly conditions here.
After losing the first game of the three-ODI series by 110 runs, a determined Sri Lankan team took advantage of the conditions and won 2-0 thanks to their spinners’ ability to deceive Indian hitters with slow, twisting pitches.
“I don’t see there is a lack of effort in how we want to try and play different shots. You saw some of these guys played reverse sweep, paddle and all that — that is not the nature of their batsmanship,” Rohit told the media after his team were shot out for 138 in pursuit of 249 in the third ODI here on Wednesday.
“We have to be very clear with how we want to play and how to keep that momentum towards us, when you play out pitches like this. We fell short now, thrice I would say, even (in) that first game that was tied.
“We have to let the players know that this is what we want and if we have to be a little different in terms of choosing the personnel, we have to do that, unfortunately. We will try and see how we can be a good team in all kinds of conditions,” the Indian skipper said.
Indian hitters, according to Rohit, lacked “brave enough consistently” and had no personal strategies to deal with the spin difficulty.
“When I say brave, it doesn’t mean that the guys were not brave enough. You got to be brave enough consistently. You got to be brave enough on slightly challenging pitches where you are trying to take on the bowlers, trying to play different shots. Again, it all comes down to individual plans,” he said.
“Everyone needs to understand that this is my plan and this is how I am going to play. If that pitch suits your plan, good enough. Try and take them on. If it doesn’t, then what are the options? Come down the track, push for a single and all that kind of things. The basics of batsmanship on slow pitches…”
Regarding the batters from Sri Lanka, Rohit stated: “Their sweeps were incredibly reliable.” By playing that sweep shot, they were taking a chance. In contrast, not many runs were scored through the ground, according to the Indian captain.
“They didn’t use their feet as much as we were expecting them to do. It was basically sweeping the ball and piercing that deep square leg and deep mid-wicket fielder and that is something we failed to do as a batting unit,” he added.
Despite the fact that Indian batsmen have played on similar wickets since its inception, Rohit suggested that possibly they lack confidence in themselves.
“All of us have actually grown up playing on slow pitches. We have not grown up on playing in pitches which has bounce and all of that. Pitches have turned and have been slow,” he said.
“But it’s all about having that own plan and believing that your plan is quite good enough to come out on top on pitches like that. Again, I don’t want to be critical because whenever I have asked them to do different things they have come up and done different things.”
According to Rohit, a thorough investigation into India’s defeat is not necessary just yet.
“Things like this can happen. It won’t be ideal to look deep into this. It’s important to stay calm and give them that confidence, give them that understanding that this is what is required,” he said.
Rohit, who finished the three ODIs with scores of 58, 64, and 35, maintained his aggressive style of play at the top and explained why.
“I felt that the runs that will be made in power play will be very important so as a batsman, you have to take those chances. I took those chances whenever I felt that I can put pressure on the bowler. Whatever runs you make from the top, the team benefits in the next 40 overs.
“You can take your time, you can see the pitch, conditions, you can see how the ball is spinning, at what pace it is coming. My personal effort was that I will make as many runs as I can in power play.
“It wasn’t that I wanted to get out after power play. I had to play with the same momentum, with the same intent. Unfortunately, I got out. But my plan and my game plan and the way I see my batting is very simple and straightforward,” he explained.
