IND vs SL: The ongoing three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka is currently placed in favour of the hosts. After winning the second game, they have a 1-0 unassailable lead with one game left to play. The third and final IND vs SL ODI is scheduled to get underway on August 7 in Colombo.
In both games, despite getting an explosive start by Rohit Sharma, the rest of the batting failed miserably against the Sri Lankan spinners. Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar, who are known to play spin well, have struggled.
So, is it the time to change and bring in players like Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag, who are sitting at the bench? There is a possibility that India can make some changes to their playing XI in the third IND vs SL ODI. But it can backfire on them at this stage, and here we will talk about three reasons behind that.
IND vs SL: Three Major Reasons why India should not make any changes to their playing XI for third ODI
3. Sign of Pressure
Team India are the No. 1 ranked ODI team, and they have reached this place after performing consistently against all teams. So, they are pretty professional at what they do and know what it takes to win a game. India have been unlucky to miss wins in both games.
And if they make any changes in the playing XI now, it will show the sign of pressure, which will boost up the confidence of Sri Lanka that they have forced India to do so. So, the visitors should trust and stick with these players only in the final IND vs SL game.
2. Stick to a settled batting order
We have seen so far in both games that India have used Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, or Washington Sundar up to order before KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. It has broken the balance the batting order which India used to have. Every batter has a role, and he prepares according to that
But if you make changes at the last moment, it may not have a big impact, but somewhere else it changes the mindset of the batter. So, we believe that as India played with settled batting order during the ODI World Cup, they should forget the left-hand and right-hand experimentation for the final IND vs SL game and do as it was.
1. Exposing New Players to Tough Conditions
In two games, only one batter has looked in control, and that is the Indian captain Rohit Sharma. But why is he the only batter? The biggest reason is his approach.
Until Rohit is at the crease, he is not letting the spinners settle down by playing one or two big shots. It forces the bowlers to bowl with defensive line. But other Indian batters have gone in shell, and that’s what has become the problem.
So, India should bat with a clear mind to go and express like this batting unit did in the ODI World Cup 2023. And if they bring in Pant or Parag, they will expose them to these spinning conditions which can backfire. So, they should stick with the same and just change the batting approach.
Also Read: IND vs SL: Stats Preview and Approaching Milestones ahead of 3rd ODI in Colombo
