Is Rohit Sharma playing on a different pitch than other Indian Batsmen? This question is being repeatedly asked after the Indian team lost the 2nd ODI vs Sri Lanka.
In the 1st ODI too India somehow managed a draw, though it should have an easy victory
The Indian team which is known to play spin well is struggling on a pitch that is giving assistance to spinners. All batsmen except Rohit and to some extent Shubman Gill and Axar Patel are struggling to score runs. In the 2nd ODI India were once 96-0 and after a while the score was 133-5. After losing five wickets for just 37 runs, India was eventually bowled out for 208, losing by 32 runs
This Sri Lankan team is going through transition with a new coach in Sanath Jayasuriya and a new captain in Charith Asalanka, but it still it managed to beat one of the world’s best team speaks volume about the disarray in the Indian camp. India does not have a settled batting line-up except that of top three batsmen. In the 1st ODI Washinton Sundar came after the fall of the second wicket and was followed by Shreyas Iyer where as in the 2nd ODI Shivam Dube came after the fall of the 2nd wicket followed by Axar Patel. Needless to say the batting line up is not settled. The players are unsure about their batting order positions and this is causing uncertainty which can never be good in any sport.
Gautam Gambhir who has just taken over as the new coach is keen on experimenting to find the best batting position for the players, but this move does not seem to be working. A clarity must be provided to all the players regarding their roles in the team and only then positive result can be expected.
Meanwhile, other batsmen, especially Virat, need to improve their performance. If India loses the next and final One Day match, it will be their first series defeat against Sri Lanka in 27 years—a record no one wants to hold
