Shocking Turn of Events: Abhishek Nayar Reacts to Sri Lanka Pushing India into Must-Win Situation following Colombo Collapse

The historic 27-year winning streak is on the line as Sri Lanka have dominated India in the ongoing series. After two matches, India find themselves trailing 0-1 and on the brink of a rare bilateral series defeat. Despite boasting a full-strength squad with star players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, India has struggled to find their footing. They have suffered defeats in both games after initially showing promise, with Sri Lanka's bowling attack proving too strong for the usually formidable Indian batting line-up. This unexpected turn of events has left fans and experts alike stunned, as India now face the daunting task of trying to salvage the series and avoid a humbling defeat.

Given the nature of the defeat, not many gave Sri Lanka a chance given how India ran roughshod over them in the last two ODIs, bowling them out for 50 in the Asia Cup final and for 55 at the 2023 World Cup. Barring Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel, India's batting order cuts a sorry figure, and questionable experiments such as promoting Shivam Dube at 4 and Axar over Rahul are backfiring. However, it's the batters' inability to apply themselves that's hurting India more than anything else, and this is when Sri Lanka were without Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga.

"Was it a shock? I would say yes, there is a surprise. But you anticipate and understand that in these conditions the game can turn on its head because there is so much spin on offer. Even if you look at the last game, it was relatively easy to score against the new ball. As the ball got older, the conditions when batting second got slightly tougher. Sometimes in tough conditions, especially in the 50-over format, this happens," India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar said during the post-match press conference.

"We want to go back and understand, and rectify, why it happened twice in a row. The day before yesterday, we were able to stitch partnerships. But today we lost quite a few wickets in a bundle."

If in the first ODI, it was the collective efforts of Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka that spoiled India's party, on Sunday it was Jeffrey Vandersay. The leg-spinner finished with 6/33 – the third best bowling figures by a Sri Lankan spinner against India in ODIs – including the top four and Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the middle as the Men in Blue were bowled out for 208 in their chase of 240.

India lacked the fighting spirit that they displayed in the first ODI – where they slightly recovered from 136/5 following a crucial partnership between Rahul and Axar. Sunday felt like more of a meek surrender, but Nayar said when the conditions are such, one should expect the unexpected.

"They bowled well - I think Vandersay bowled the ideal length in these conditions. In such conditions, when the ball is turning – and the way Vandersay bowled today, used his finger, and bowled stump to stump – you get these phases when there is assistance from the pitch. I feel today we should give more credit to Sri Lanka," he added.

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