"A lot of passion and integrity at stake"- Abhishek Nayar ahead of IND vs SL 3rd ODI

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has opened up before the third ODI match between India and Sri Lanka to be played at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Nayar mentioned that a lot of passion and integrity is at stake as India has underperformed in the first two ODIs.

Along with Nayar, bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule and another assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also spoke about India's preparation before the much-important third ODI.

India are currently trailing 0-1 in the three-match ODI series. The first match ended in a tie while Jeffrey Vandersay dismantled India's batting line-up in the second ODI to seal the match for his team. With just one ODI remaining, the Indian team will be looking to make a statement and level the series.

Watch- Rohit Sharma hilariously teases the ground staff in Sri Lanka

Abhishek Nayar opens up as Team India prepares for the 3rd ODI

While speaking to BCCI, Abhishek Nayar reckoned that there is a lot of passion and integrity at stake since the players have not produced the desired results. According to him, it can bring the best out of them.

Nayar also spoke about the fighting spirit and felt that the players need to execute their plans well and this is the best occasion to produce their best.

"I think as Indians, we are very emotional people, and normally when sometimes you don't get results our way, there is a lot of passion and integrity at stake for every individual so every cricketer in that dressing room knows what's at stake and a lot of time that sort of brings the best out of the team," Nayar stated.

"t bring out that fighting spirit that you want to often see in our team. Then you obviously try to implement that in the center with all the strategies that you come with, all the discussions that we have in the dressing room. Sometimes, being pushed against the wall brings the best out of us," he added.

It's Match Day in Colombo!

All in readiness for the 3rd and Final #SLvIND ODI 🙌#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/dYlsS87BkZ

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 7, 2024

Meanwhile, bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said that certain areas that have been addressed have been discussed and the players will be expected to produce a better performance.

"Overall as a unit, certain areas that need to be worked on have been addressed. That's what they were trying to implement. There are certain patterns of bowling that have been done to our batters. We are trying to see how we can match that and find a solution," Bahutule said.

"They are all fantastic players of spin" - Ryan ten Doeschate on Indian batters

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reckoned that the conditions are tough and the players will try to learn from their mistakes. He also added that playing spin is not an issue and the staff is just trying to keep a positive environment where the players can play with freedom.

"We are trying to be very specific and learn from the mistakes in the first couple of games. The conditions have been very tough and guys have come up with their own plans. But (it depends) how they are going to go about it more from the mental point of view," Ryan ten Doeschate said.

"They are all fantastic players of spin. That's not an issue. We are just trying to keep an environment where the guys can feel positive and really express themselves and go out to show how good they are."

"I think it's admirable how the guys one-up with themselves under pressure. They feel that we'll at least share the series with Sri Lanka. And the preparation has been made around that we can be our best tomorrow," he concluded.

India's struggles against spin

Indian batters have found it difficult to deal with the Sri Lankan spinners so far. While Dunith Wellalage, Charith Asalanka, and Wanindu Hasaranga were the wicket-takers in the first ODI, it was all about Jeffrey Vandersay in the second match.

Vandersay finished with his career-best figures of 6-33 and had a memorable evening. Apart from skipper Rohit Sharma, no other Indian batter has looked comfortable at the crease. India will need an inspirational performance from their star-studded batting line-up.