IND vs SL 2017: Rohit Sharma Backs MS Dhoni after his Valiant Knock in Dharamshala

India under their new captain Rohit Sharma started the Sri Lanka series on a sad note, as they suffered a humiliating defeat by seven wickets at the hands of Sri Lanka in the first of the three-match ODI series in Dharamshala.

The men in blues see this series as a preparation for the upcoming South Africa tour; however, the Indian batsmen were given tough times by the Sri Lankan bowlers, as they reduced to 29 for the loss of seven wickets, before MS Dhoni revived the innings to take the total past hundred (112) in the end.

Also Read: IND vs SL 2017: Bumrah’s No ball Should not be Blamed for the Defeat – Rohit Sharma

The Sri Lankan bowlers exploited the seaming wicket to a great extent, as they elected to field first after winning the toss.

Tall and lanky pacer Suranga Lakmal registered his best ODI bowling performance in the match with an impressive figure of 4/13 in his ten overs. The experienced Dhoni who was under a lot of criticism once again proved why he is a crucial member in this ODI squad, as he played small partnership with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal to take India to a respectable total. Dhoni hit ten fours and two sixes in his innings of 65 balls off 87 balls.

Also Read: IND vs SL, 1st ODI: Jasprit Bumrah No-ball Was The Turning Point, Says Nic Pothas

Sri Lanka chased down the target in the 21st over after losing two early wickets with former captain Upul Tharanga scoring 49 runs which included ten fours.

In the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli, his deputy Rohit Sharma took charge of the team for the first time in international cricket, and backed the veteran MS Dhoni and rightly he did so.

Also Read: It was a terrific inning from MS Dhoni, Says Sourav Ganguly

“First of all, I never understood talks, before the game, of whether he was in our plans or not. Once he gets runs, suddenly the whole conversation changes,” Rohit Sharma was heard saying.

Rohit Sharma showered heaps of praise on the former Indian captain, as he will continue to perform the same in future.

“He has done it for so many years, and he knows exactly how to bat in these situations. Someone else with him could have made the difference, but he was battling alone,” Sharma signed off.

Also Read: Watch: MS Dhoni Displays Unbelievable Power While Hitting A Six In Dharamsala