New Delhi: The Indian cricket team were handed a 32-run defeat at the hands of hosts Sri Lanka in the second ODI, who bagged a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. It was a below-par performance from the Indian middle order which cost the team in a game that was more or less similar to the series opener which had notably ended in a tie.
In the second ODI, both nations looked to gain a lead to take the upper hand in the series. India, who are now being coached by Gautam Gambhir, were expected to continue their run as they did in the T20Is but it seems a series of experimentations and changes in team combination cost the Men in Blue. This was noted by the Indian cricket fans as well who weren’t pleased at all with the way the team performed and had to face a loss.
After a shocking tied match, Sri Lanka opted to bat first in the second ODI and posted 240 runs on the scoreboard which was quite reputable. Coming out to chase, the duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a steady start. Rohit turned out to be the only silver lining for Team India as he smashed another half-century (consecutive) to set the momentum for the chase but it was the same story for the Indian middle order.
The likes of Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul all failed to score runs as their contributions could have been valuable in bridging the 32-run gap. It is highly noteworthy that Iyer and Rahul came to bat after Dube and Axar Patel, a tactic which seems to have failed terribly for the game. Iyer came at no. 6 and Rahul arrived at no. 7, the batters who usually acquire the no. 4 spot, which was given to Dube for the game and he failed. India could manage 208 after getting bundled out.
Nonetheless, there will be several questions to be answered as to why bringing changes to an already set team batting lineup is hampering their performances and ultimately affecting the result of the match. The social media users slammed Team India for their average performance against Sri Lanka.
Here are a few social media reactions from the fans after India lost to Sri Lanka by 32 runs in the 2nd ODI –
Rahul Dravid >>>>> Gautam Gambhir, period .
In his fancy world of experimentations , GG is destroying a great Team.
What’s the need when everyone’s comfortable playing their natural game at their best position?!
Everything’s so Messed up!!! #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/OL1HNk0u9P
— Naina_H (@NH_hope13) August 4, 2024
KL Rahul was scoring runs at No. 5 but his batting order is changed and the same has been done with Shreyas Iyer. #INDvsSL
I blame Gautam Gambhir for this defeat. pic.twitter.com/awLnQu2SnP
— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) August 4, 2024
In this ODI Series (So far)#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/DNVQgBACpk
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) August 4, 2024
No Wanindu Hasaranga
No Matheesha Pathirana
No Dilshan Madushanka
No Dushmantha Chameera
No Binura Fernando
No Nuwan Thushara
Sri Lanka Beat India #sportspavilionlk #INDvsSL #SLvsIND #danushkaaravinda pic.twitter.com/7zumwcZ6DW
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) August 4, 2024
Yesterday 900+ Haha reaction for him :
Today How he’s doing : 👑#INDvsSL #SLC pic.twitter.com/Bb9oUTJ9Uo
— Samitha Sooriyabandara (@SamithaSooriya) August 4, 2024
Is the India ODI team nothing without Rohit Sharma.
He plays on a different pitch altogether.
Other batsmen absolutely clueless #INDvSL #INDvsSL #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/5AqZMmJGH2
— Sachin Jangra – सचिन जांगड़ा (@sachujangra) August 4, 2024
Rohit Sharma supremacy #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/tBPHw4KXZY
— Yolo247 (@Yolo247Official) August 4, 2024
Gautam gambhir to KL Rahul And Dube 🫣
Siraj Jadeja Dube Iyer Rohit Sharma KL Rahul #ViratKohli #INDvSL #KLRahul #RohitSharma #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/UaXZMneN5P
— छोरा राजस्थान रा🐓 (@Pmdeshma07) August 4, 2024
Indian batters trying to play Jeffrey Vandersay tonight #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/R9H8PvTgpp
— Outswinging_red_SG (@Swinging_red_SG) August 4, 2024
Sri Lanka beat India by 32 runs in the second ODI and achieved a lead of 1-0 in the three-match series on Sunday. The Indian cricket fans weren’t pleased with the team’s performance and vented it all out on the social media. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
