NEW DELHI: A visibly disappointed India captain Rohit Sharma conceded that his team should have managed to score the single run needed off the last 14 deliveries.
However, he acknowledged that the team struggled to maintain a consistent scoring rate throughout their innings, despite chasing a relatively modest target of 231 in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday.
India got off to a promising start, with Rohit leading the charge with a brisk 58 off 47 balls, helping the team amass 71 runs in the first 10 overs.
However, the middle order failed to capitalize on the strong foundation, as Virat Kohli (24), Shreyas Iyer (23), and KL Rahul (31) all got starts but found it challenging to score freely against the well-rounded Sri Lankan spin attack.
Ultimately, India were bowled out for 230 in 47.5 overs, falling agonizingly short of the target.
“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 comes on. We lost a few wickets and fell behind,” skipper Rohit said, as quoted by PTI, at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India staged a recovery with a 57-run partnership between Rahul and Axar Patel, who contributed 33 runs. However, their quick dismissals shortly after shifted the momentum of the match once again.
“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.
He believed the wicket was the same for both teams.
“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 can 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 said.
Young Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka, who took the final two wickets with consecutive deliveries, believed they should have won the game.
“I did believe we should have done a bit more well to restrict them under 230. It turned more in the afternoon. Under lights, it became easier to bat.”
However, he acknowledged that the team struggled to maintain a consistent scoring rate throughout their innings, despite chasing a relatively modest target of 231 in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday.
India got off to a promising start, with Rohit leading the charge with a brisk 58 off 47 balls, helping the team amass 71 runs in the first 10 overs.
However, the middle order failed to capitalize on the strong foundation, as Virat Kohli (24), Shreyas Iyer (23), and KL Rahul (31) all got starts but found it challenging to score freely against the well-rounded Sri Lankan spin attack.
Ultimately, India were bowled out for 230 in 47.5 overs, falling agonizingly short of the target.
“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 comes on. We lost a few wickets and fell behind,” skipper Rohit said, as quoted by PTI, at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India staged a recovery with a 57-run partnership between Rahul and Axar Patel, who contributed 33 runs. However, their quick dismissals shortly after shifted the momentum of the match once again.
“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.
He believed the wicket was the same for both teams.
“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 can 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 said.
Young Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka, who took the final two wickets with consecutive deliveries, believed they should have won the game.
“I did believe we should have done a bit more well to restrict them under 230. It turned more in the afternoon. Under lights, it became easier to bat.”