Rohit Sharma escapes criticism as Mohammed Shami attacks India batters for helpless performance against SL spinners
Published - 08 Aug 2024, 10:22 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:17 AM
![Mohammed Shami, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/2024/MohammedShamiViratKohliRohitSharma.jpg?q=80)
India National Cricket pacer Mohammed Shami analyzed the team’s ODI series loss against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. He admitted that Indian batters looked clueless when the spinners came into the attack.
India suffered a thrashing 110-run loss against Sri Lanka in the third game of the series. The loss in the game also meant that the Rohit Sharma-led side suffered the first-ever series loss against the Island nation since 1997 as they went on to lose the series by 2-0.
One of the major reasons behind the loss of the Indian team was the poor batting display. The Indian unit looked clueless against the spinners of the Sri Lanka team as the wickets fell like a pack of cards and the batters came under pressure, getting stuck on the crease.
India captain Rohit Sharma scored a brisk 35 at the top but once he was back in the hut, Indian wickets fell quickly. No batter could get going against the spinners as the 2024 T20 World Cup Champions got all out for just 138 runs, losing the game by 110 runs.
Mohammed Shami admitted that after Rohit Sharma got out, Indian batters couldn’t play much. He said that the middle order couldn’t move as Sri Lanka made full use of their conditions and won the game. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“When spin bowling came, they had to face a lot of problems. After Rohit Sharma, no significant batting performance followed. The batsmen kept coming and going. But by the end of the 16th over, they had scored 100 runs but India had lost 7 wickets. In front of this spin, India looked helpless.
“They looked worried. If we talk about Indian batting, in the middle order, the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th batters, no one seemed to be moving. But on the 9th wicket, Washington Sundar, fought a little bit. Sri Lanka tested their home conditions very well. And they played a good series, a home series," said Mohammed Shami.
Focus on your game. Focus on your skill - Mohammed Shami’s message to Indian batters
Mohammed Shami congratulated Sri Lanka for the historic feat but pointed out that there will be a lot of questions to be answered inside the Indian dressing room. He stated that when India loses against small sides, it becomes a big controversy. But Mohammed Shami stated that the team needs to be focused going forward and come back stronger. He added:
“After Rohit Sharma...”- Mohammed Shami attacks Indian batters for not playing well against spinners
“And the series also broke the record of 27 years. And against India, after 27 years, once again, they won the ODI series. Well done Sri Lanka. Congratulations. But if we talk about India, there will be a lot of questions. There will be a lot of topics to talk about.
“But, what I say is that every series is about winning and losing. You focus on your game, you focus on your skills. There is always a series here and there. And when these series are played with small teams, then it becomes the most controversial series. Sometimes, they lose one-sidedly.
“And sometimes, they create a lot of problems. But, no problem. Sri Lanka played well. Well done Sri Lanka. And for India, I would like to say one thing. Focus on your game. Focus on your skills. Well done. Good luck,” he concluded.