'We need to do better': Rohit Sharma's stern 'there'll be discussions' message to India batters after disappointing performance vs SL

In a surprising turn of events at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo during the opening ODI match of the three-game series, Sri Lankan spinners managed to secure a dramatic draw after India needed only one run to win. Despite this setback, the Indian team was determined to bounce back in the second game on Sunday. However, their hopes were dashed once again as Jeffrey Vandersay put on a phenomenal performance, taking a record-breaking six-wicket haul to lead Sri Lanka to a 32-run victory. With this win, Sri Lanka took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series, leaving the Indian team with a tough road ahead.

There were similarities in the Sri Lankan innings as well. Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious situation at 136/6 before Dunith Wellalage and the lower order bailed them out of trouble to post a challenging total of 240/9. In response, it was captain Rohit Sharma yet again with his fiery half-century knock that helped India get off to a flier. He was also involved in a 97-run opening stand with Shubman Gill as India looked certain to script a comeback in the match.

However, with Rohit's departure, the rest of the line-up succumbed against the Sri Lankan spinner. Vandersay was the chief architect as he picked the first six wickets, all in a space of just 58 deliveries for 50 runs. Axar Patel did look to rebuild with his run-a-ball 44, before India Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka applied the brakes with two successive wickets, which was enough to fold India for 208 runs in 42.2 overs.

Following a second successive collapse in the middle overs, India captain Rohit was left disappointed at the results. He sent a stern warning to his batters that they would discuss the matter before they head into the third and final ODI match.

"We weren't good enough. Don't want to look too much into how we played. But there'll be talks about our batting in the middle overs," he said in the post-match presentation. "When you lose a game, everything hurts. It's not just about those 10 overs. You have to play consistent cricket and we failed to do that today. Little disappointed but these things happen. You got to adapt what's in front of you."

India will be back for the third and final game of the white-ball tour against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Tuesday.

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