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Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh questioned Arshdeep Singh's choice of stroke after the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2, ended in a tie. While admitting that tailenders cannot be expected to score runs, he opined that they can show some game awareness.
Chasing 231 in the first one-dayer against Sri Lanka, India recovered from 197-7 to reach 230-8. They needed only five to win from the last three overs. Shivam Dube hammered Charith Asalanka for four to level the scores. He, was, however, trapped lbw the next ball. With one needed for victory, Arshdeep attempted an ugly hack across the line. He, however, missed the ball and was trapped leg before.
Former India fast bowler Ganesh was not impressed with the tailender’s shot selection given the situation of the game. Taking to his X handle, he wrote:
"You can’t expect run from the tail enders but a bit of game awareness is paramount for any cricketer. That shot from Arshdeep isn’t going to impress the coach Gambhir #SLvIND #DoddaMathu."
The 51-year-old went on to praise Sri Lanka for their impressive fightback and added that the tie would serve as a morale booster to the hosts.
"And it’s a tie. Great application shown by Sri Lankan bowlers. This is a going to be a great moral booster for the underdogs #SLvIND," Ganesh wrote on X.
Sri Lanka ran India close in all three T20Is played ahead of the one-day series. However, they failed to do the finishing job and ended up conceding the series 3-0. In fact, in the last T20I, they were in complete command at 110-1 in a chase of 138. Somehow, they lost their way and the game ended in a tie. India then held their nerves to clinch the Super Over.
Rohit Sharma admits India should have got over the line
Speaking at the post-match presentation, India captain Rohit Sharma admitted that the visitors should have won the game after needing just one run with two wickets in hand. He, however, also credited Sri Lanka for playing some good cricket and added that, in the end, a tie seemed like a fair result.
"Proud of the way how we fought till the end. The game shifted towards both teams at different times. It was important to hold the nerve and stay in the game. We should have got that one run," Rohit was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
The second ODI will be played at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 4.
