‘It’s a joke': Rohit Sharma scoffs at question over 'complacency' as India lose ODI series to Sri Lanka after 27 years

Rohit Sharma dismissed ‘complacency’ in the Indian team, calling the question a ‘joke’ after they lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years

Team India suffered a devastating 110-run defeat in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka, resulting in a 0-2 series loss. Unable to chase a 249-run target in Tuesday's match, the Indian batters once again struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners, who dominated throughout the series and, on this occasion, bundled India for a mere 138 runs.

Colombo: Indian captain Rohit Sharma after the presentation cermony of the third ODI cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium(PTI)

The Indian batters struggled significantly against spin bowling in all three matches of the series, and during the post-match presentation, captain Rohit Sharma was asked if he felt the side was “complacent.” However, the skipper was visibly unimpressed with the question and called it a “joke.”

“It's a joke. When you are playing for India there is never going to be complacency. As long as I'm here, that's not going to be the case,” Rohit said wryly. However, he went on to applaud the Sri Lankan team for their performance in the game.

“But you have to give credit to good cricket. Sri Lanka played better than us,” said the captain.

'Struggle against spin not a concern': Rohit Sharma

Rohit also urged Indian batters to have a ‘serious look’ at their individual plans against spin bowling.

"I don't think it's a concern, but it's something we need to look at seriously — our individual game plans — and it's something (that) we were definitely put under pressure within this series,” Rohit told the broadcaster when asked about India’s struggles against spin.

Rohit said that while the series loss is not the ‘end of the world,’ it leaves the 2023 World Cup finalist with a lot to work on.

The Indian batters were bewildered by the Sri Lankan spinners, particularly by Wellalage, who claimed the crucial wickets of Rohit, Kohli, Iyer, and Axar in his initial spell before returning to complete a five-wicket haul.

India's highest partnership, a modest stand between Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, highlights the team's struggles. Succumbing to the trial by spin, India conceded their first series to Sri Lanka in 27 years.

"Series loss doesn't mean the end of the world. These guys have been playing very well over the past few years; very consistent. You will lose the odd series,” Rohit said.

"We lost the series and I feel there are a lot of areas we need to look at rather than the positives. We need to go back and look at what we need to do when we come up against conditions like this,” he added.