It is difficult to defend such low score

Anshuman Gaekwad

The downfall continues.Once Again India put up a pathetic batting display and lost the match without a fight in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka at Dambulla.No signs of omprovement ,no fighting spirits.It seems that top order almost forgot the basics of the game.And again it was Sri Lankan Spin due Muralitharan & Ajantha Mendis , who continued to torment the Indians.

It was a batting friendly wicket at Dambulla but Indian batsmen wasted opportunity to post a big total after skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni elected to bat first on winning the toss.The way Gautam Gambhir,Raina & Rohit Sharma got out , its really shocking.Even Dhoni's Deputy Yuvraj Singh dismissed so cheaply after getting runs in practice match couple of days back.shewag's absence was a big blow for Indian team, because only he was in form and capable of guiding the team in absence of Sachin Tendulkar.But that does'nt mean the other batsman will surrender so cheaply.

The way our batsman dismissed , Margin of defeat , there can be no excuse.I think serious introspection needed immediately if Indian Cricket want to get back their pride in the remaining matches of this series.Team management took a wrong decision by sending debutant Virat Kohli to open the innings.It was difficult for New Comer Kohli to face both the pressure – Debut & Opening the innings. It's really surprising that Indian team playing in this series without any third specialist opener.In this situation Irfan Pathan was the right option for team management who has performed same role in past.

India innings got off to a bad start. Indian innings looked in deep trouble.In that situation Dhoni, Yuvraj, Raina and others also failed to apply themselves.Mendis is still difficult to read but how can you explain those cheap dismissals! At least couple of batsman gifted their wickets to Sri Lnakan bowlers.Team management should start serious thinking immediately after this match if they want to fight back in the seirous and avoid greater humiliation.

In a batting friendly wicket It was difficult to defend such low score.When batters are letting our team down what bowlers can do?Now Indians must improve in all department.Need disciplined performance- have to bat,bowl & field exceptionally well in the remaining matches.If they perform according to their strength I am sure Dhoni & Co is capable to beat this Sri Lankan team even when they are playing in their home soil.

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